Pet therapy set to continue in Bendigo

9 Jan 2017

9 January 2017

The Delta therapy dog program, which has been trialed for the last 12 months, has been a overwhelming success with both patients and caregivers.

In 2016, Ruby visited St John of God Bendigo Hospital 36 times and saw 315 patients. 

Delta Therapy Dogs volunteer, and Ruby’s owner, Juliana Cafarella said seeing the happiness on the patients’ faces in spending time with therapy dog, Ruby, was a joy to watch.

 “I’m really thrilled that the hospital was open to doing this and how accepting they have been of Ruby and myself and so supportive,” Ms Cafarella said.

Rehab Unit Nurse Manager Louise Harrison said the visits from Juliana and Ruby, had been fabulous.

“The patients look forward to it. They get a lot from Juliana and Ruby. It brightens their day, makes them more engaged, we’ve really enjoyed it,” she said.

Pet therapy recognises that the close bonds between people and animals can be beneficial to an individual’s overall wellbeing.

A number of St John of God Hospitals, including Ballarat, Geelong, Frankston and Richmond, are among the those to have already introduced pet therapy with extremely positive results.

The pet therapy program is administered with the assistance of Delta Society Australia, which is a national not-for-profit organisation, which ensures that dogs are properly trained and able to comply with health and safety requirements of the hospital.

For more information visit: www.deltasociety.com.au/pages/delta-therapy-dogs.html