Why Australia’s biggest canine Baron is lapping up his new job as a therapy dog

BARON, the 115kg canine that is Australia’s biggest, has a new job as a therapy dog at schools, hospitals and aged care homes.

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BARON, Australia’s biggest and arguably the gentlest giant canine, has a new job and loves it — and so do his ‘work mates’.

Baron has begun a new career as a therapy dog — a part of the popular Nepean Therapy Dogs network — and if his first day at the Penrith Valley School is any indication, he could soon be the most popular visitor.

For, this giant English bull mastiff, who stands more than two metres from tip of nose to his tail and a staggering 115kg, is a softie at heart and loves nothing better than to mingle with people.

Baron being taken for a walk by Mark York and some of the students. Picture: David Swift

Last September, Rouse Hill Times broke the story about Baron being Australia’s biggest dog, which led to him and his owners Mark and Dorothy becoming national and international celebrities, though they are still very much down to earth.

Baron’s Hills-based owners, Mark and Dorothy York have enrolled Baron — who turns three in July — in the Nepean Therapy Dogs (NTD) program which visits schools, hospitals and aged care homes.

Nicholas Danta, the principal of Penrith Valley School — whose pupils deal with behavioural and emotional difficulties — said the students love the therapy program, which began last year.

Eli, 11, gives Baron a hug. Picture: David Swift

“The therapy dogs visit us every Friday and it’s really going well,” Mr Danta said.

“It’s fantastic for the students who read to the dogs because they (the animals) are not judgmental.

“Also there is no pressure on the children while if they read to adults, they (the students) could shut down.

Basically a lot of the kids here have experienced a lot of trauma and our school helps them feel safe and cared for.”

Student Darcy said having dogs like Baron, “makes me happy,” while Kye Douglas added: “They make me read more”.

Belinda Walk with her therapy dog Lulu and Dorthy York with Baron at Penrith Valley School. Picture: Lawrence Machado

Mark York said Baron, whose weight is the equivalent of many professional rugby union and league forwards, is gentle with children with his wife Dorothy adding; “Baron gets along with everyone.”

During last Friday’s visit at Penrith Valley School at Werrington, Baron was joined by fellow therapy dogs, Ella a calm greyhound and Lulu, a friendly lagotta.

“Baron is still growing and should become bigger and broader in 12 months time but will not get taller,” Mr York said.

“He is unofficially Australia’s biggest dog and eats one kilo of beef of chicken in the morning along with biscuits and the same again at night.

Students enjoy reading to Baron. Picture: Lawrence Machado

“Baron is very relaxed and there are no dramas with the children who enjoy reading to him.

“I probably get as much out of Baron’s therapy work as the kids who love him.

“To see the kids interact with him specially as some of them don’t like to read, is wonderful to see.”

Belinda Walker with her therapy dog Lulu and happy pupil Darcy. Picture: David Swift

Timothy and Paula Smith of the NTD group, said many of their 30 volunteers have their own challenges but gain many positives from engaging in the program.

“Some of our volunteers who people with autism who may not be able to go out in the public but work very well with taking the therapy dogs for visits,” Mr Smith said.

The not-for-profit NTD works with children, in palliative care, victims of crime, medical facilities and aged-care.

Mr Douglas said his dog Ella loves mingling with the children. “Ella has been doing it for three months and loves it,” he said. “The idea is to get children to read as often they are difficult readers.

“The children like to pat Ella and she also bring calm and tranquillity to the kids.”

Ms Walker said her dog Lulu usually visits patients in hospitals.

“Lulu is great with children and everyone,” Ms Walker said.

“She is very gentle and loves people.”

Therapy dogs have to go through training before being cleared to interact with people.

Baron and his Mark York with students from Penrith Valley School. Picture: David Swift

■ Baron is also the ambassador for the new vet to home service, Pawssum, which has partnered with the Sydney animal vet hospitals in Kellyville and Bella Vista.

Mr York said many people were time poor or didn’t have the ability to take their pet to the vet, or don’t want to wait in a vets or don’t want new pups to be exposed to viruses in the vets. So they invented Pawssum.

■ For more information visit the Pawssum website.

QUICK FACTS

Who: Baron is unofficially Australia’s biggest dog

Weight: 115kg

Age: 2 years, 8 months

Height: From the tip of his nose to his tail, he stands just over 2m

Eats: 1kg meat and biscuits in the morning and 1kg meat or chicken in the evening.

Costs: Around $120 a week to feed

Potential: To grow broader at the shoulders and will reach full weight in 12 months time

Owners: Mark and Dorothy York