Very Special Kids: Jaffa the therapy dog provide palliative care alongside Petspiration

Meet Jaffa. Jaffa is a bit of a super hero, but she doesn’t wear a cape. Instead, just by being herself, she brightens up the lives of very sick kids.

Jaffa is one of the therapy dogs that will be taking part in a two-year partnership between The Petspiration Foundation and Very Special Kids in Victoria, providing children and young people in holistic palliative care with emotional, clinical and practical support to help create positive lasting memories. Image: supplied.

Not all heroes wear capes, some don collars and name tags and have floppy ears.

Meet Jaffa, the newly recruited therapy dog, which will be playing an important role in a two-year partnership between The Petspiration Foundation and Very Special Kids in Victoria, to help support children and young people in palliative care.

The partnership marks the beginning of the sponsorship of Very Special Kids’ dog therapy program, as part of the Petspiration Foundation’s mission to “strengthen the rewarding bond between people and pets”.

The program is critical in providing young palliative care patients with emotional, clinical and practical support, enabling them to create positive and lasting memories.

Very Special Kids’ hospice manager Kirsty Blair said the partnership would allow Jaffa to continue providing crucial support for people during their palliative care journey.

“Therapy dogs like Jaffa help to create a relaxed environment in the hospice, so children and young people can feel comfortable, settled and supported,” Ms Blair said.

“She not only provides physical comfort to assist children in regulating their emotions, but her interventions also provide joy.”

Dogs like Jaffa are trained to assist young people with their transition into the new and unfamiliar environments of palliative care — they can even turn the pages of children’s books.

“The benefits of Very Special Kids’ therapy dog program extend beyond providing comfort to these children – inspiring moments of happiness and lasting memories – that their siblings, parents, and extended family members can hold onto forever,” Ms Blair said.

The efforts of Very Special Kids have been widespread, assisting 850 Victorian families in the past year.

The Petspiration Foundation’s charity and events lead, Sherralea Cassidy, said the partnership would enable ongoing training and placements for dogs like Jaffa with her clients.

“Animals can improve people's lives in so many ways, and we are proud to be able to support Very Special Kids,” Ms Cassidy said.

“We also recognise the incredible work they have already done to make a positive impact.”

Ms Cassidy said providing emotional and physical support through pets was an extremely powerful practice.

“We know Jaffa, leading the therapy dog program, will be able to assist even more seriously ill children and their families with support they need in the future.”

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