New Volunteer Has His Nose To The Ground

Toby, a 10-year-old Labrador, will be visiting patients on weekends through the Delta Therapy Dog program.

He is being accompanied by his owner Natalie Brindle, of Portland.

The program is the largest of its kind in Australia with more than 1000 volunteers and their special dogs making regular visits to health care facilities to offer the wonderful benefits of pet therapy, spend time with patients and offer a chat, a floppy ear to listen and a paw to shake.

Natalie and Toby certainly put some smiles on faces during their orientation to Portland District Health,Community Engagement Officer Carolyn Malseed said.

Dogs are trained and checked to ensure they are suitable for the program.