Solly recruited to comfort workers inside ambulance control centre
NSW Ambulance’s newest recruit has a long list of duties that include throwing himself on the floor and having his belly rubbed. But his most important role will be helping call takers and dispatchers at the Sydney Control Centre. SEE THE VIDEO.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NSW Ambulance’s newest recruit has a long list of duties that include throwing himself on the floor and having his belly rubbed.
Solly, a “calm” and “beautiful-natured” 13-month-old labrador, works at the triple-0 ambulance control centre at Eveleigh.
A graduate of the NSW/ACT Guide Dogs therapy training program, Solly will comfort distressed call takers and dispatchers.
MORE FROM MIRANDA WOOD
THE $825M PROGRAMS ‘EASING’ SYDNEY’S CONGESTION
ELTON JOHN: ‘FINAL TOUR WILL BE THE MOST MEMORABLE EVER’
MAZE OF TUNNELS CONNECTING CITY’S UNDERGROUND
Solly is following the lead — so to speak — of Honey Bear, the golden retriever The Sunday Telegraph revealed was visiting the centre last year in a trial to help staff.
She was so effective in lifting morale, Solly was recruited.
NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan, a former call taker, said Solly would support staff dealing “with some of the toughest days of people’s lives”.
“It’s not just trauma — it’s panic, it’s verbal abuse, often on a daily basis,” he said.
Call-taker Laura Turner-Cooke said in the fortnight since Solly started, he was already having an impact. “It’s just so nice having him in the room,” she said.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said Solly would provide plenty of “puppy love” to the team.
“Solly is a critical part of their support network,” he said
Given the title of Special Intern, Solly will be cared for after-hours by NSW Ambulance Deputy Director of Control Maxine Puustinen.
“There is something soothing about having an animal around,” Ms Puustinen said.
“It just helps relieve a little bit of that stress.”
Originally published as Solly recruited to comfort workers inside ambulance control centre
Join the conversation
‘Dark days’: Mum’s heartbreaking ten-year ordeal before miracle bub
After a decade of IVF attempts, three crushing losses and spending a sizeable house deposit, one woman had a miracle bub through a low-cost model. But she says more needs to be done to help women in regional NSW.
Read more
‘Shocking failure’: Abbott slams PM over terror intelligence breakdown
Ex-PM Tony Abbott and security experts have blasted an “alarming breakdown” in communication between the state and federal government as Sydney narrowly dodged a ‘mass casualty event’ over a foiled anti-Semitic terror plot.
Read more