Happy Retirement Marshal! Marshal, a 12.5-year-old black Labrador retriever has retired as a Thurston County courthouse dog at an invite-only ceremony on August 13, 2026. Marshal has been an asset to the Courthouse Facility Dogs program since 2015 with handler Kim Carroll, Thurston County victim services coordinator.
A Courthouse Dog Life: From New South Wales, Australia to Olympia, via Hawaii
Born December 27, 2013, in New South Wales, Australia, Marshal was bred for service work, with a calm temperament, high trainability and good health. At eight weeks old, he and his littermate Maggie headed to Assistance Dogs of Hawaii on Maui. There, he was placed with puppy raisers, Laurie and Scott Blaine. Laurie and Scott had the serious task of exposing Marshal to everything they could, including going to place like airports, libraries, and busy city streets, to meeting many different people and things like wheelchairs. He had to learn to ignore other dogs, cats and – maybe the hardest thing for a lab – food on the floor!
“During Marshal’s advanced training sessions, it was determined that his steady demeanor would be best matched with a facility, more specifically a courthouse, where he would be working with children and adults traumatized by crime,” explains Kim. “Marshal then learned commands such as ‘visit’ and ‘snuggle,’ which he would need in his role as a facility dog, so he could best comfort victims.”
In December 2015, he was matched with the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and headed to Olympia.
Unlike a therapy dog, that visits hospitals with a private citizen handler, Marshal is handled by a county employee and had special training. “Courthouse Facility Dogs are different from therapy dogs,” shares Kim. “Courthouse Facility Dogs undergo two-plus years of intensive task and public access training and are handled by professional legal staff. They are allowed in secure courtroom areas by judge permission and state statute.”
Marshal’s caretakers are Wendy Ireland, administrative services manager for the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and her husband, Mike.
The Day and the Life of a Thurston County Courthouse Dog
Accompanying Kim to work every day, Marshal had an important job: To comfort those attending court, both victims and witnesses. “Sometimes he provides comfort during stressful moments and court hearings by sitting on the floor with victims or just lying quietly while they pet him,” Kim shares. “He can sit on the couch and courtroom benches with victims and lay his head in their lap as they recall some terrible things that have happened to them. They pet his head and rub his ears as he ‘snuggles’ and ‘visits’ with them.”
Throughout his years in service, his handler and the rest of the county staff saw what an amazing effect he had on those who needed him. “He calmed nerves, slowed heartbeats, and became a friend. Other times, there were very dramatic ways,” Kim shares. “He brought strength to those who couldn’t walk into a courtroom unless he was by their side. He brought courage to those who couldn’t find their voice unless it was Marshal they were speaking to.”
Washington State Law (RCW 10.52.110) allows accredited Facility Dogs, like Marshal, to sit with children and vulnerable adults during testimony. “One of those times was during a defense interview when a small child couldn’t speak about the terrible acts committed against her until she spoke the words to Marshal,” adds Kim. “Another vulnerable adult couldn’t make their way into the courtroom without him by their side.”
Marshal also helped be a voice on why courthouse dogs are needed. In 2019 and 2023, Marshal joined his handlers and other courthouse facility dogs from throughout Washington State at legislative hearings to demonstrate the important work done by courthouse facility dogs. “Through this work at the legislature, the legislature passed new laws allowing public access for courthouse facility dogs and expanding the rights of victims to have a courthouse facility dog present in the courtroom,” shares Kim.
Marshal was celebrated at an invite-only retirement ceremony on August 13, 2026. He will now be enjoying sleeping in, taking short walks and enjoying long, uninterrupted naps as a loved member of the Ireland Family! The ceremony included a special adoption portion as he officially became their pet. He will still visit all his friends at the courthouse in an unofficial capacity.
New Courthouse Dog in Thurston County
A 3.5-year-old niece of Marshal’s, Sky, is taking over more of his duties now. Trained by Assistance Dogs Northwest, she has been working with the County since 2024. Handled by Sherry Landon, Thurston County senior victim advocate, Sky took on more duties as Marshal headed toward retirement. Her caretaker is Rosemary Fitzgerald, Thurston County deputy prosecuting attorney,
Marshal’s job is offered at no cost to taxpayers, Kim explains, thanks to the generous and ongoing support of the Nisqually Indian Tribe and Assistance Dogs Northwest, who provides the yearly recertification for the dogs and check-ins. You can follow their important work on the Thurston County Courthouse Facilities Dogs Facebook page.
