A wagging tail, a gentle nudge, and a quiet moment of companionship are helping brighten the days of patients, visitors, and staff at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS).
Local resident Cathy and her assistance dog, Jazz, have been volunteering at BRHS for nearly a year as part of the health service’s expanding animal therapy program.
Jazz plays a critical role in Cathy’s daily life, assisting her to navigate safely and confidently as a person with vision impairment. However, when her official therapy dog bandana goes on, Jazz seamlessly transitions into a completely different role.
Unlike her duties as a focused assistance dog — where she must ignore distractions — Jazz’s therapy work encourages her to mingle, greet patients, and enjoy affection from hospital staff and visitors.
Cathy, who has a background in social work and operates a local small farm, said seeing the immediate positive impact Jazz has on the hospital environment is deeply rewarding.
“Sometimes the simplest interactions can make the biggest difference,” Cathy said.
“A staff member might take a moment out of a busy day, a patient might enjoy having some company, or a visitor might just need a cuddle with Jazz. She has such a calm and friendly nature, and you can see the comfort and happiness she brings people.”
Cathy’s professional background made the health service a natural fit for volunteer work, allowing her to combine her interpersonal skills with her passion for canine companionship.
The BRHS Therapy Dog program provides structured opportunities for assessed dog-and-handler teams to visit wards and care areas, fostering connection and reducing stress for patients and families.
BRHS offers a variety of volunteer roles across its campuses, including therapy animal visits, patient transport, social support, residential aged care engagement, and assistance in specialised departments such as Oncology and Dialysis.
Cathy encouraged other community members to explore volunteering with the health service, noting the wide variety of roles tailored to different skills and interests.
