Meet Teddy and the Therapy Paws Tasmania team

What's up dog?

Teddy is a 6 year old Brittany who loves to chase butterflies and drive over bridges. He began his role as Ambulance Tasmania's Therapy Dog in November 2021. In December we went up to Devonport after the Hillcrest Disaster to offer some comfort to those first on the scene. Teddy has a way of finding the people that need him the most. He loves everyone but does seek out those that may be sad, unwell, stressed or anxious. He may stay with them for as little as a few minutes or as long as 20 minutes. I never question what he does as he always knows. He is part of their Health and Wellbeing program and we always walk around with a Peer Support Officer. He becomes a bridge for conversations and communications that are sometimes not easy to have. I cannot count how many times Paramedics and other staff have said their day is now so much better after having some special Teddy time. We often go on road trips to the smaller branch stations in the south of Tasmania as well as up to Launceston to share the love around. During the month of June Teddy was invited to meet the Premier and the Secretary of Health during their Budget Estimates session as they had heard a lot about him from the CEO of Ambulance Tasmania. He "stole the show" according to the Premier and is the goodest boy. In 2023, Teddy is still attending Ambulance Tasmania twice a week, sometimes his younger brother Baloo helps out as does his older sister Faith. Teddy is also now down in the Emergency Department of the Royal Hobart Hospital 5 times a fortnight as part of their health and wellbeing program. Top Dog with a Job would be our category as we are not in any one office. However we are only part of a big team, Therapy Paws Tasmania, and while Teddy does a lot of the work we wouldn't be who we are without the help of all our volunteers and their beautiful dogs. They all make a difference to people's lives wherever we go. As well as the Royal Hobart ED and Ambulance Tasmania we also visit Dementia units, Aged Care, Schools, Group Homes and Universities. Happy for you to use us as a group but not sure this is what you are after.

How is this award decided?