Our Dogs at Home and in the Community

*Please send any photos you’d like to put up of your dogs to us here

Animal Aid Ride for the Animals

GSDCV Gippsland branch members Val Purcell, Dave Hynd, Paul Wiseman and Dave’s daughter Julie Munro participated in raising funds for the charity ride “Ride for the Animals” in order to raise money for the Animal Aid shelter. Val, Dave and Julie participated in the charity ride on the 16th of March, riding from the Fulham shelter to the Bairnsdale shelter.

A total of $31,000 has been raised for the shelter during the ride, with $1,661 of this being raised by Val, Dave, Paul and Julie.

The ride left the Fulham shelter at 8.30 am taking participants through Maffra, accross to Stratford and continuing on to the Bairnsdale shelter for a total of 92kms. A group of Gippsland branch members also attended the start of the ride in uniform with their dogs to support our members which also seemed to be well received by the shelter, other riders and the public.

Well done Val, Dave, Paul and Julie!

Trish & Penny’s Community Work

Special Mention

Penny is a VCA accredited Aged Care Therapy Dog

Below is some correspondence sent to the branch about Trish and Penny

“In for a Penny, In for a pound”

Penny is the star of BUPA Eastwood Aged Care ‘Pet Therapy’ program. Trish, (Penny’s owner) and Penny are a much valued part of Eastwood’s volunteer program. Penny is a beautiful, gentle and wonderfully behaved German Shepherd who has made a world of difference to the lives of many of our residents. Penny seems to have the happy knack of relating to every resident she meets.

Like so many of our band of volunteers, Penny participates in much of the fun that is a large part of aged care.She stole the show last Christmas when she arrived dressed up as a reindeer, looking splendid in matching red and white pants and coat, and sporting a set of antlers that would have turned Rudolf’s nose green with envy.

Every Tuesday, Penny and Trish come to our indoor bowls activity. When Trish was asked if she thought Penny knew when it was Tuesday, she said “Most definately, she comes to check out the scores”

During her visits, Penny interacts with both residents and staff. When she visits our dementia residents, their faces light up with absolute joy, even if they are having a bad day. Penny has the uncanny knack of seeking out our most frail and vulnerable residents and spends quality time with them.

(By Dawn Sulley- Lifestyle Coordinator at BUPA Eastwood Community Aged Care Facility)