By Tate Papworth
Charlie the border collie frequently brings smiles to the faces of those who need them most.
Charlie is a regular visitor at Sunshine Hospital’s palliative care and dementia wards, providing comfort and respite for patients and family members alike.
But he needs some help.
Lort Smith is recruiting volunteers and their four-legged friends for its pet therapy program.
The program requires volunteers to take their dogs into hospitals, aged care and mental health facilities, homeless shelters and a variety of other settings.
The aim is to bring comfort and relief to people experiencing illness, pain, adversity and loneliness.
Charlie’s owner, Sue Harvey, a staff member at Sunshine Hospital, said the program had been highly rewarding.
“Charlie basically wanders around and gets love and lots of biscuits,” she said.
“It’s very rewarding, not just for the patients, but for the family, too, especially in palliative care. When you walk into the room with a dog, it really breaks the tension.”
Volunteer dogs must be good-natured, well behaved and love meeting new people.
Volunteers must be able to commit to half a day weekly or fortnightly during business hours and have their own suitable transport for themselves and their pet.
Being comfortable meeting people in mental health, homelessness, aged-care, hospital or other settings is another requirement.
An information session will be held this Thursday at Sunshine Hospital. Bookings essential.
Details: lortsmith.com/volunteer/pettherapy
