THERE’S never a dull moment at the monthly Peninsula Parkinson’s Peer Support Group (PPPSG) meetings, but last week’s get together, according to treasurer Phillip Hancorne, was “a real doozy”.
As its name suggests, PPPSG is geared to giving those living with Parkinson’s access to the latest information on the treatment and management of the disease and access to guest speakers who are experts in the field.
Parkinson’s is a serious business, but now and then it’s time for a little light relief, and when two four-legged members of the Victoria Police Dog Squad turned up with their handlers, members were treated to a fascinating and certainly entertaining afternoon.
Senior Constable Matt Steele attended with his black Labrador called simply “X”, and Senior Constable Liam Steele with his German Shepherd, “Knox”.
While the affable X wandered through the audience of 80 plus, sniffing everyone and welcoming pats and hugs, Knox, who is in training to be more of an attack dog, stayed at attention beside his master.
“X will do anything for food,” explained Matt. “He is trained to recover drugs, firearms and other weapons and even cash.” How does he sniff for cash? Apparently the Australian Mint bakes a polymer into our bank notes that can be detected by wet and wobbly canine noses. X is reported to have recovered tens of thousands of dollars in illicit monies.
PPPSG Ambassador Ken Wall noted, with a wry smile: “We usually present our guest speakers with a gift of a special local wine in appreciation of their attendance, but this time we found ourselves putting together packets of Lucky Dog Bones”.
Next month the PPPSG meeting will revert to its original brief, offering a “safe place” for those living with Parkinson’s Disease to relax, learn, and share their experiences.
If you’d like to join them, call Ken Wall on 0412 561 768 or Phillip Hancorne on 0487 352 190.
First published in the Mornington News – 14 April 2026
