NORTHERN Health staff last week received a visit from therapy dogs Scout, Leo and Larry as part of an initiative started by the service in September.
Health services were provided with funding from the State Government in 2021 to implement programs aimed at improving the psychological and physical wellbeing of employees.
Northern Health launched the ‘All About You’ initiative, which recognises there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to improved wellbeing, and tailors priorities and daily challenges to each team or individual.
A Northern Health staff request for dog therapy led to a collaboration with Delta Therapy Dogs’ ‘Paws the Pressure’ program.
Northern Health Wellbeing Team senior psychologist Casey O’Brien said the aim of the collaboration was to empower staff to have open conversations about what wellbeing meant to them in a fun and relaxing environment.
“As soon as the dogs and volunteers walked in, you could feel the energy shift in such a positive way – people’s eyes really lit up and you could see how happy they were,” she said.
“Everyone involved really appreciated the experience and it was great seeing the teams get together and connect in such a positive and uplifting way.”
