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Therapy Dog Awareness Month 2022
September is Therapy Dog Awareness Month and we couldn’t be more thrilled to celebrate and recognise some of the wonderful dogs who provide emotional support, comfort and companionship to different areas of the community.
Let’s meet a few of these special Therapy Dog pups who are making a difference out in the world!
Elmo
Introducing Elmo, who is possibly the cutest addition to Adelaide Airport! Elmo joined the team at Adelaide Airport in 2022 as part of their ‘Hidden Disabilities’ program and was given the very imPAWtant job of being a reassuring presence for people who may need some support that isn’t immediately apparent.
“Elmo will be an invaluable part of our airport family. Sometimes it might be that he sits next to an anxious traveller. Other times he will no doubt be there for a reassuring pat and an alternative focus, or as a calming presence for others,” says Adelaide Airport Managing Director, Brenton Cox.
Elmo will be working 9 am to 5 pm weekdays, and is recognisable by his orange Guide Dogs coat. If you happen to be passing through, say hi and give him a pat!
Kenzo
Fondly dubbed the ‘Director of Happiness’, the very social Labrador, Kenzo, joined the emergency team at a large public hospital just prior to the start of 2020 as part of the Dogs4Docs pilot initiative. The goal: to investigate the effectiveness of a workplace dog on staff wellbeing within a major hospital emergency department. Little did anyone know just how much of an impact Kenzo would have throughout 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the Victorian Healthcare system.
It wasn’t long before Kenzo became the hospital’s favourite team member. Kenzo has visited many COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers, and even in such challenging times, he always knows how to make every staff member smile. He is also an excellent conversation starter and encourages everyone to take a moment out of their day to reset and be ready for whatever is next. Everyone loves a cuddle from Kenzo and it is clear the ’Director of Happiness’ is the medicine this hospital needs from time to time.
Checkers
Attending court can be a stressful and confronting event for many people. Checkers, a beautiful black Labrador from NSW, has a very special role in supporting victims of crime if they are required to attend court.
Checkers is one of our special pups from the ‘Canine Court Companion Program’, a program developed in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Communities New South Wales.
Every day Checkers helps to create a friendly environment and reduce stress for court visitors by patrolling foyers, waiting rooms, safe rooms and witness rooms. He is always offering a wet nose and wagging tail to help ease the stress for victims of crime. Along with his Handler, Gabbie, Checkers is the longest serving court dog since the program started in 2018 at Manly Court!
The Department of Justice reports that Checkers takes on an extra bouncy and friendly persona when he is wearing his court uniform, and has converted many court visitors into ”dog-people”.
Keep up the PAWsome work Checkers and Gabbie! You can learn more about the ‘Canine Court Companion Program’ by watching our video.
Luka-Barkley
The gorgeous Luka has led a star-studded life after being named by listeners of radio show 89.9 TheLight and making a star appearance in the Bondi Vet online docuseries, Born to Lead, in episode two.
Now he is bringing his star presence to Carey Baptist Grammar School as a Therapy Dog! Luka’s job is to give unconditional affection to students visiting the Student Development Department.
Each morning Luka-Barkley eagerly greets all visitors – students and staff alike – with a wagging tail and a big smile. At times, he also accompanies students in their one-on-one sessions with a psychologist, sitting at their feet and providing a calming presence. If a student arrives distressed, Barkley will sit with the student and gladly accept the pats and tears with calm, non-judgmental “dogginess”.
“Luka-Barkley is blissfully unaware of the broader impact he’s having in helping to destigmatise visits to Student Development,” staff at the school say.
As one student recently said, “Barkley is the best thing that has happened.”
Iris
Iris is a Facility Dog in the ‘Wirreanda Adaptive Vocational Education’ (WAVE) program at Wirreanda Secondary School, where she supports students who are at risk of disengaging from education. Iris’ presence in the classroom means better student engagement, a positive influence towards student wellbeing and a 100 percent increase in cuddles!
“I have had the privilege to see first-hand the magic of Iris. Her ability to calm student anxieties, encourage attendance and further engage students with their learning is powerful”, says Iris’ Handler.
It takes a special kind of dog to become a Guide Dogs Facility Dog and Iris loves the challenging yet rewarding role of helping students in the WAVE program reach their full potential.
Learn more about the pivotal role our Therapy Dogs play in providing friendship, support and assisting with emotional development, or apply for a Therapy Dog in your state.
