Pats and chats with a purpose
29 August 2024
![Pakenham MP Emma Vulin and Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards with therapy dog Bailey at Parliament House.](/4a5435/contentassets/1581f057a8fe474b88705c7ae278e690/20240829_011220925_ios.jpg?width=800&height=600&mode=crop)
Most people recognise the love of four-legged friends in the home and now they're starting to appreciate the benefits canine companions can have in the workplace.
Bailey, an accredited therapy dog dropped by Parliament House to meet MPs and employees.
Ably assisted by experts in animal behaviour, the five-year-old Golden Retriever was even given his own security pass.
“ ‘He spreads the love everywhere he goes.’ ”
Melanie Rundle, Therapy Animals Australia
‘He lifts the mood a lot in workplaces and helps to bring people together.’
The visit highlighted the positive impacts properly trained pooches can have on wellbeing and culture in a range of professional environments.
‘He’s been trained as a therapy dog and that means wherever he goes he’s going to behave appropriately,' Ms Rundle said.
![Therapy Animals Australia Dr Brad Rundle, Melanie Rundle, Bailey and Shepparton MP Kim O'Keeffe.](/4a54a4/contentassets/1581f057a8fe474b88705c7ae278e690/20240829_010351646_ios.jpg?width=800&height=600&mode=crop)
Based in Bundoora, Therapy Animals Australia provides programs to meet the specific needs of individuals, workplaces and community groups.
‘It actually connects people together. So, getting them to stop what they’re doing, actually talk to people and spend a moment connecting with each other and that can really help with your own mood,’ Ms Rundle said.
‘It’s a relaxed, social time where you can connect with each other without any pressure.’
A therapy dog’s presence also raises the profile of mental health and can prompt discussions and initiatives related to reducing stress and improving overall wellbeing among staff.
![The five-year-old Golden Retriever had a special security pass for his visit, which included meeting Legislative Assembly Speaker Maree Edwards.](/4a4fc9/contentassets/722b0e22dc0046c8846492e3d66de612/speaker-cropped.jpg?width=800&height=600&mode=crop)
Bailey’s visit to Spring Street follows a similar trip to Capital Hill in Canberra in June, where he was given the title of ‘Chief Therapy Dog’ by House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick.
You can find out more about the various visits and programs at Therapy Animals Australia.