I stand quietly off to the side of the room watching him. He’s big, with black hair and dark pools of eyes that see everything. He has a very particular way about him – carries himself well, you might say. He’s fully committed to what he’s doing. He’s focused and dressed for the part. He’s prepared.
I’m holding my breath, nervous about what will ensue in this daunting space, bustling with noise and large LED screens and full of people moving in and out of rooms. What will he do? What happens next? I watch as he looks around the room, surveying the crowd and making assessments of the environment.
And then the magic happens. His head tilts upwards and there’s a twitch of his ear.
I watch his tall dark frame move soundlessly across the room. He is completely focused on his destination and target. I’m silently hoping he knows what he’s doing. But I need not have worried, because this is Perron. And Perron is a highly skilled facility dog working under the Guide Dogs Australia banner. He is a court dog in the Perth Children’s Court (PCC) system, and he is only young – three years old with a long career ahead of him.
Under the expert guidance of his handler, Rebecca, Perron is doing what he does best: greeting children and others gathered in the large waiting room.
PCC is not really a place you’d go to voluntarily and, while the main waiting area is spacious, the mood is strained as families prepare for the next step in their often traumatic legal journey.
Perron pads quietly over to two young people sitting on the plastic chairs, noses glued to their screens. At first, the kids don’t notice Perron, but this is not his first rodeo. A light nudge from his shiny wet nose is all that is needed for the kids to literally sit up and take notice.
Devices discarded, both kids look at each other and then smile at Perron with glee. Rebecca encourages the kids – nodding her approval for them to touch the dog. They relish the opportunity to interact with him.
Perron inches closer to the kids and sits between them, keen to be patted while he has their attention. The kids dip their heads towards him, talking to each other and smiling. Perron does his thing and smiles back at the kids.
It’s a little moment, a pause in a stressful and difficult period, and Perron owns it. His instinct is spot on, and the kids enjoy the encounter for what it is: a glimmer in their day.
A nose for the job
Perron is working and he knows it. A smart black and orange vest and bright orange collar contrast perfectly with his dark, shiny coat. When Perron puts on his vest it’s ‘go time’, and Rebecca confirms Perron’s routine is a crucial part of his working day.
Perron starts his ‘office’ days with a drive from his foster family’s home. Unusually, Perron has been with the same family since puppyhood and the stability of his home contributes to his temperament and personality. The drive from home to the Guide Dogs WA office in Victoria Park is the first cue of the day – he knows he’s going to work. But before heading to PCC at Pier Street, Perron needs grooming and a little check over to make sure he’s ready for his busy morning. On arrival at PCC, Perron prances with excitement – he’s used to being here and knows he’s about to have a fun and attention-filled morning. His harness is strapped to him and, just like guide dogs, when the harness is on it’s straight into work mode for the day.
Perron works the room for 45 minutes, then has a 15-minute break. He repeats the cycle for three hours throughout the morning. He doesn’t work every day and needs to rest with his foster family between shifts to recharge his social battery and maintain good mental health. During his 45 minutes of work, it’s not unusual for Perron to scout the perimeter of the waiting room for crumbs of food left behind by visitors. But his primary focus is people and that’s when he really shines.
Rebecca lets Perron take the lead as to with whom and how he mingles. His instincts, like most animals, are perhaps more nuanced than any human’s, and it makes all the difference. He knows exactly who he’s going to and whether he’s going to sit up like a good boy for a pat on the head, lie down next to someone for a full body rub, or just lean against them, providing comfort without exchanging a word.
Spreading joy with each pat is not the only part of Perron’s role. Off to the side of the main waiting room is a quieter, private space that requires a security swipe card to access. This room is often used for witnesses waiting for their call up and the energy here can be tense. Rebecca and Perron are quite often requested in this room, and they sit with the witness while they’re waiting to give evidence. Rebecca believes this is an important part of Perron’s role. He provides a distraction for the witness while they wait, often for a long interval. Sitting and patting Perron can really ease anxiety for the witness and their family – he’s a silent, loving rock of solace. Rebecca and Perron have, on occasion, been given permission to be in the remote witness room while the witness is giving evidence, quietly stroking Perron as they deal with what can be an emotionally draining exercise.
Trick or treats
Back in the main waiting room, it’s not just children and families who play with Perron. Court staff, security and lawyers are all treated to the Perron effect. I speak to a lawyer, waiting for his client, who tells me how popular Perron is and the breath of fresh air he brings to an often uneasy and challenging environment. Indeed, watching the lawyer, pre-Perron, frowning as he reads his case notes and then chatting happily to me post-Perron, it’s clear the impact he has on everyone he meets.
For some people, comfort with Perron in PCC doesn’t come easily and needs and some gentle encouragement from Rebecca. Not everyone likes dogs, some having had negative ordeals in the past, some who have allergies, and some who mistakenly believe Perron is a sniffer dog and are wary of his presence.
This is when Rebecca’s training as a social worker and her postgraduate qualifications in animal welfare really come to the fore.
Before approaching anyone, Rebecca scans people’s body language as they are walking past. She keeps some distance between Perron and people whilst confirming a positive response from them. Consent is crucial, and Rebecca watches for those who show interest in Perron, such as smiling and leaning forward, indicating they’re looking for interaction. Rebecca then confirms consent to approach and the delight begins to grow.
For some, their reluctance to touch Perron is understandable. Perron is a product of Guide Dogs WA, and most people understand that guide dogs and assistance dogs should not be touched when working. Part of Rebecca’s role is to let people know that, as a facility rather than guide or assistance dog, Perron is here to be patted and touched. Treats and toys help, too. Rebecca carries a stash of Perron-approved treats and offers them to people who would like to feed him. He obliges with happiness.
Play is also a crucial part of Perron’s role and he has a select number of rope toys, with his crocodile being a favourite for a game of tug-o-war. This works especially well for the younger kids, with whom Perron loves being the most.
If you think Perron’s role sounds like a custom fit, you’re right. He was earmarked for this type of role as a puppy. At about 12 to 14 months old, the Guide Dog puppy program assesses each dog’s qualities, such a temperament and tolerance to noise and people. These are good indicators as to what career path a puppy might pursue – facility dog, guide dog or assistance dog.
Early assessment is important, as the roles are very bespoke. A guide dog, for example, is trained to not interact with the public when they’re working, whereas a facility dog, like Perron, needs to get used to approaching people, so socialisation and exposure to environments such as PCC are part of their dedicated training.
Keeping Perron well, mentally and physically, is also vital. The 15-minute breaks he has on shift are used for toileting, a quiet spell and rest before charming more people. Rebecca is attuned to the non-verbal cues Perron shows when he’s stressed or has had enough of a situation, and she removes him to give him a reset.
Supporting Perron as he helps people continues away from PCC. When he returns to the Victoria Park office after work, he winds down with his favourite enrichment escapade – a frozen Kong (a toy filled with food) for extra fun. He will also benefit from the company of any other dogs who happen to be at the centre, and they all play in the purpose-made enrichment yard prior to heading home to their foster families.
Watching Perron work with the public is an awesome experience. I realise, with surprise, that his calming, gentle manner has even worked on me. I hadn’t been inside PCC before, and the security process, glass screens and anonymous furniture are intimidating for the uninitiated. Spending time with Perron and Rebecca is a privilege indeed.
I know that if I or one of my loved ones was navigating PCC, having Perron by my side would make all the difference.
This article originally appeared in Issue 52, December 2025, of the Brief magazine, produced by the Law Society.
Issue 53 is due to be published and posted to Law Society members in late June 2026.
