In a quiet courtroom in the Western Cape High Court, history was made not by a judge or lawyer, but by a gentle golden retriever named Toffee.
As a 14-year-old boy prepared to testify against his own father in the rape and murder trial of 8-year-old Daniel Jamneck, the 3-year-old therapy dog lay calmly beside him, offering silent reassurance during one of the most traumatic moments of the child’s life.
The April 2026 testimony marked the first time a therapy dog had accompanied a child witness in a South African criminal court, a breakthrough many child-trauma specialists hope could transform how vulnerable children experience the justice system.
For the teenager, who was present at the scene of Daniel’s death in Peerless Park North, Kraaifontein, in June 2023, the court appearance was more than just giving evidence. It meant revisiting a traumatic night while speaking publicly against his father, who is facing charges of murder, rape and sexual assault. Daniel was found dead in the accused’s bed following a sleepover in Kraaifontein in Cape Town on 15 June 2023.
Toffee doggedly remained by the teenager’s side as this was related to the court.
A courtroom first born from years of advocacy
The idea of therapy dogs supporting child witnesses has long been used in countries such as the United States, but South Africa had yet to take that step.
For Edith Kriel, executive director of the Jelly Beanz Foundation, it had been a dream decades in the making. “I have worked in the child protection sector now for 32 years and across my whole career I’ve to some extent worked within the sexual offences courts.”
She said major improvements have been made over the years to make courts less intimidating for children, including child-friendly rooms and intermediaries who help facilitate testimony.
“But the reality is that if you’re a kid and you’ve experienced something really traumatic, when you go back to court in a strange environment… you have to sit down and think like a video in your head of that traumatic experience and then put that into words.
“You’re also sometimes asked to defend your answers or made to feel like you’re not telling the truth. Kids have a really hard time.”
Kriel believes therapy dogs can bridge that emotional gap. “The role of a therapy dog during testifying is really to create a sense of safety for the child, a sense of ‘I’ve got somebody on my side’.
“This beautiful animal is here with me. They’re not judging me when I tell the stories of all the yucky things that happened to me. They just think I’m amazing.”
Calming fear in the middle of trauma
Trauma experts say children who testify in court often relive their experiences physically and emotionally. Fear, anxiety and stress can overwhelm the nervous system, making it difficult for children to think clearly or answer questions coherently.
Kriel said therapy dogs help regulate those emotional responses. “That kind of non-judgmental, calm, safe presence helps children feel safer. It calms their nervous system.
“And when your nervous system is calmer, the parts of your brain that do the thinking and come up with the words can work better.”
During the in-camera testimony on 29 April Toffee remained close to the teenager throughout proceedings, helping him find the strength to continue.
Kriel described the moment as deeply emotional, saying the child visibly relied on the dog’s presence during difficult parts of his testimony.
“To my knowledge Toffee is the first dog that has successfully gone through the process with a child,” she said.
But she stressed the achievement was not hers alone. “It’s not just a me process. We need prosecutors on board who are willing to take it on, put in applications and step outside of the norm. There’s a whole team behind it.”
More than just a comforting pet
Toffee is not simply a friendly dog wandering through therapy sessions. She is a certified “fur-therapist” at the Jelly Beanz Foundation, a Table View-based non-profit organisation dedicated to helping children affected by trauma, abuse and neglect.
Founded in 2009, Jelly Beanz provides therapy services, develops trauma resources, trains professionals working with children and advocates for better support systems for vulnerable young people.
The organisation’s work is rooted in a grim national reality. According to Jelly Beanz one in three South African children is sexually abused before the age of 18.
“Boys are just as vulnerable to abuse as girls. Eighty-two percent of children have been directly exposed to violence in their homes or communities.”
Against that backdrop therapy animals are becoming powerful tools in rebuilding trust and emotional safety.
“Children who have experienced trauma often feel ashamed, disconnected or different from others,” the organisation pointed out.
“Dogs offer unconditional acceptance. No words are necessary.”
Therapists say children frequently communicate emotions indirectly through the dog, sometimes revealing feelings they struggle to express themselves.
A child may say, “Toffee is feeling sad today,” when in reality they are describing their own emotional state.
Carrying on a healing legacy
Toffee also carries the legacy of another beloved therapy dog, Danni, South Africa’s first Newfoundland fur-therapist, which worked with traumatised children through Jelly Beanz.
While smaller in size Toffee has quickly become a comforting presence in therapy rooms.
“With her soft coat and calming presence Toffee offers comfort, connection and unconditional acceptance to children who have experienced trauma,” the organisation said.
“She is a symbol of healing, hope and trust.”
Kriel hoped the court breakthrough will inspire others to build similar programmes rather than relying solely on one dog or one organisation.
“The idea is not that Toffee becomes the next court therapy dog forever,” she said. “It’s about opening an opportunity for other people to step up and step in.”
Justice with compassion
As the Daniel Jamneck trial continues Toffee’s quiet presence has already left a lasting mark on South Africa’s justice system.
For years the focus in criminal courts has understandably centred on evidence, procedure and legal outcomes. But child trauma specialists say the emotional wellbeing of witnesses, particularly children, cannot be separated from justice itself.
For one frightened teenager facing the unimaginable task of testifying against his father, justice did not arrive only in legal robes or courtroom protocols.
It arrived on four paws, with soft golden fur and steady, reassuring eyes.
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