Meet Zeb

2025 Australia Top Dog with a Job finalist

Meet Zeb

2025 Australia Top Dog with a Job finalist

Zeb

Breed:Labrador Retriever

Barking from:Adelaide, SA

Job title:

What's up dog?

As Australias only dog with accreditation to enter a court room, Zeb supports victims and witnesses of crime who are involved in the criminal justice system, especially children.

Zeb, who was trained by Guide Dogs SA/NT as part of the Facility Dog Program, is a specially trained pooch offers canine comfort to those in need which can include contact like chin-resting for tactile reassurance, or acting as an ice-breaker and companion. Zeb has been a regular, much-loved fixture around the courts and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in South Australia since 2022, and did his first formal work at court in July 2022 offering support to a 15 year old girl as she was waiting to give evidence in a trial.

Since he began working with ODPP, he has provided support to more than a hundred victims of crime and witnesses on a total of 225 separate occasions, when witnesses have met with prosecutors to discuss their evidence, were waiting to give evidence at court or in the hearings themselves as they were testifying. Hes worked with young children, teenagers, and vulnerable adults, through a challenging and traumatic time in their lives, in serious criminal cases including murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, assault and criminal neglect.

2025 OZ Top Dog with a Job

Purpose

This award recognises a working dog that goes above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Whether supporting people or fellow animals, this dog’s daily efforts help improve wellbeing, provide support, or create meaningful change in their community.


Reach

Does your dog make a difference in the life of one individual, or do they support an entire group, workplace, or community? Tell us who they help and how far their support reaches.


Impact

What kind of impact does your dog have in their role? Share how they’ve enhanced wellbeing, supported mental health, or improved the lives of those around them