Local court system gets new facility dog

JACKSON, Tenn. — “Navi is priceless,” Madison County Juvenile Court Judge Christy Little said.

Two-year-old Navi is putting a “paws” on “ruff” days in the courtroom and turning them into better days.

Navi is the new facility dog for the Madison County Juvenile Court System, a first in Madison County.

“Our goal is to be a healing center for everybody,” said Navi’s caretaker, Leslie Tosh.

Tosh said this is Navi’s first week on the job after 18 months of training at Canine Companions for Independence.

“August 9, we graduated and Navi became our new facility dog,” Tosh said.

“It is my first time ever to have a dog in court,” Judge Little said.

Judge Little said having Navi in court helps the juveniles and the adults.

“Just to be able to rub a dog just feels good and comforting,” Judge Little said. “A child that has to be in court because somebody did something bad to them, or is in court because they did something they should not have done, to be able to have an animal that’s not judgmental.”

Tosh said two things Navi gives to juveniles are emotional support and unconditional love.

“Anything we can do to make a child’s life better and to make their experience in juvenile court just a little bit easier, it’s worth it,” Judge Little said.

Navi’s owner said she can be seen Monday through Friday at the Madison County Juvenile Court Services office.

Her owner also said you can stop by to meet Navi by calling the office at 731-423-6140.