News
Meet Volunteer Vicki
Vicki Marriott has volunteered with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT since 1998, entirely by accident.
Vicki’s (and her family’s) journey with Guide Dogs began when her son’s friend, who was working temporarily at Guide Dogs, mentioned they were looking for a home for a dog for six weeks.
A Client, who had multiple health issues, needed a carer for her dog so she could keep her close in Canberra, have her visit in hospital, and ensure someone could pick up her dog if an emergency arose.
Vicki understood that the bond between a Guide Dog and their Handler is incredibly strong, and so, just like that, volunteering as a temporary carer became part of her life.
Temporary caring came at the perfect time for Vicki’s family, as they had recently lost their Labrador, a beloved member of the family for 15 years. While they were happy to love the temporary care dogs and puppies, the desire to have their own dog again wasn’t there.
What started as temporary care soon became a long-term commitment. One dog stayed with Vicki and her family for almost seven months, while many other stays were much shorter. Yet each dog, regardless of the length of their stay, received the same amount of love and affection from the family.
In February 2019, Vicki’s volunteer journey took a significant turn when the ACT Court Canine Support Program began in partnership with the ACT Courts and Tribunal. This program, designed to support victims of crime and ease the stress of attending court, is where Vicki truly began making her most remarkable volunteering contribution—work she continues to this day.
For the last six and a half years, Vicki and specially selected dogs from the Therapy Dog program have been working within the Children’s Court and the Remote Witness Unit, supporting people through some of the hardest moments of their lives. They also visit other areas of the ACT courthouse, ensuring that the staff receive support as well.
Vicki’s most memorable experience of the significant impact these dogs can have was during a court session with the Court Program Officer, Nikki.
“We had Quota, one of our Therapy Dogs, who was very intuitive in the Children’s Court. There was a grandmother and her grandson, and the dog made a big fuss of the boy, but the lady said, ‘No, please. I don’t want to be with the dog,’ which is fine. We had a bit of time with him. We walked around, we saw other people, and as we were leaving, we went to the lift. And this lady came out of the crowd, the same lady, and she said, ‘I’ve watched how gentle the dog is, and I’d like to pat the dog, if I may.’ And Quota sat there while she patted his ears and the whole bit, and she said, ‘I’ve been terrified of dogs my whole life, but I just watched this dog and saw how he was with people, and I felt the urge to pat him.’ And that just warmed our hearts, that convinced us that what we were doing was beneficial to all sorts of people.”
The impact of the volunteering work has also changed Vicki’s perception of the need for volunteering.
“I’ve come to understand quite a lot about volunteers, and how to interact with people who deal with violence and family violence. And I didn’t realise how much support was needed out there, but how needy they are for volunteers to help, because they’re spread thin on the ground. There’s a lot needed, and it’s just so easy to be involved.”
Volunteering isn’t just a one-way street—it has given back to Vicki, teaching her patience and understanding.
“I can sit with somebody and watch them interact with the dog, whereas I may have just walked past and not even looked at them twice. A little bit of understanding that a lot of people are going through a lot of hardship, it doesn’t cost anything to show a little bit of kindness, and a smile makes a huge difference. And I mean, we don’t react or interact with the people—the dog does. I always say she does the work; I’m on the other end of the lead. but my presence helps too.”
The ACT Court Canine Support Program hasn’t just brought healing and comfort to those passing through the courts. It has also brought an incredible addition to the Marriott family—Sundae, a gorgeous black Therapy Dog, who, with a little bit of encouragement from Nikki Toohey, joined their family three years ago and has been a fixture in the program ever since.
“Sundae is sweet, gentle and sought after by Clients and staff. She’s an eager Therapy Dog and gets excited when she sees me putting the uniform on. Our family and friends very much love her, and she is a joyful member of our family. She welcomes the company of any dog we have in temporary care, particularly puppies, and is very gentle and playful. She changed our lives significantly.”
Today, more than 25 years after that first “temporary” six-week commitment, Vicki continues to witness the healing power of the human-animal bond. What began as an accidental volunteer opportunity has evolved into a lifelong passion that transforms the courthouses into spaces of comfort. Through her work, she embodies the message that started her story: a smile, a moment of kindness, and the gentle presence of a dog can indeed go a long way—making some of the hardest days a little easier.
Want to start volunteering like Vicki? Find out how you can get involved.
