Hospital Therapy Dog Program Overview
 

Our hospital visits are thoughtfully designed to brighten the day of patients, their families, and hospital staff alike. These short yet meaningful interactions aim to lift spirits, spark new conversations, and create joyful moments—often becoming stories that patients and families continue to share long after the visit.
 

How It Works
Our trained therapy dog teams visit hospitals across Western Sydney—including Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Hawkesbury, Katoomba, and Springwood. Each team is made up of at least three to four volunteers, ensuring we can reach a large number of people efficiently. If one team member is engaged in a longer visit, the others continue their rounds, making the best use of our time in each hospital.

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Visits are typically five to fifteen minutes per patient, depending on the situation and needs of the individual. The presence of the dogs brings warmth and comfort, helping reduce feelings of stress or isolation and often encouraging patients to recall happy memories with animals.

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Trained for the Hospital Environment
Our therapy dog teams receive specialised training to ensure they can work safely and effectively in a hospital setting. Training covers hygiene, safety, environmental awareness, positive communication, and dog handling best practices.

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In addition to supporting patients and their families, our visits have a positive impact on hospital staff by promoting a more uplifting and connected workplace culture.