Meet Luna

What's up dog?

Luna has spent the last 6 years working along side me every week providing mental health therapy with kids experiencing severe and complex mental illness. She has an innate ability to connect with and ground kids who are distressed. She develops individual responses to clients, some she will lay on their feet, curl up on the couch next to them, sit in-front and place her paw or chin on their leg, or sometimes for those who are very angry or disregulated she will sit there making squeaky noises and talking to them to encourage them to focus on her and become grounded/calm again. She makes my job as a therapist easier, bridging the relationship and trust gap with kids who don't really want to be there, or those who feel uncomfortable with adults/people, or those with neurodiversity's like autism. Some times just seeing Luna motivates a young person to work through their anxiety/low mood and suicidality, just so they can come back to see her again the next week. She is the first dog that was officially accepted to work in the Tasmanian Health Service back in early 2018. She is also one of the few sport Keeshond in Australia and has achieved in agility, obedience, tricks, scentwork, and is a Rally obedience champion. But most of all she is my first ever dog and has given me so much joy in our 9 years together so far.

How is this award decided?