AFTER two years, therapy dogs are back at Peninsula Health, and staff and patients are celebrating their return.
Jeff and Judy Johnston have started their fortnightly visits to Frankston Hospital and the Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit with their golden retrievers, Benson and Sam.
Judy said six-year-old Benson and Sam, eight, must be among the most photographed of dogs.
“Once it took us an hour to get back to the car from the hospital because staff, patients and visitors would stop us to say hello and take cute photos of the dogs,” she said.
“Our last visit was very successful, with lots and lots of smiles, a few tears and loads of cuddles and photoshoots.”
The Johnstons say taking their therapy dogs to the hospital is “extremely rewarding”.
“We have seen so many rewarding things and know we are making a difference. This is why we keep doing it,” Jeff said.
Jeff has been a Peninsula Health pet therapy volunteer for six years and Judy has been volunteering for 10 years.
“COVID-19 restrictions meant that we weren’t able to visit,” Judy said.
“It is so great to be back and see the program up and running again.”
Dogs must meet specific criteria to be therapy dogs, such as being well-socialised with other dogs and obedience trained. Their owners are also assessed to become volunteers.
“Dogs have amazing instincts. Benson has to say hello to every person who enters the room. He just has a knack for it,” Jeff said.
“The way the dogs are able to bring smiles to patients faces and help them socialise or feel calmer is incredible.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 October 2022
