Lewy and Chilli among members of therapy dog program providing comfort for hospital staff

Labradors Lewy and Chilli are leaving a trail of smiles and joy after being tasked with the very important mission of helping hospital staff destress.

Lisa Farrall co-founder Therapy Paws, Domian Broomhall health department, Alice Barrett nurse, Vanessa Ward Therapy Paws with Lewy (left) and Chilli.

Sometimes all it takes is a pat.

Lewy and Chilli have been doing the rounds at the Royal Hobart Hospital, bringing comfort to staff who need it most.

The Labradors are two of 12 dogs from the Therapy Paws organisation, which are rigorously trained to support those in hospitals, schools and aged-care homes across Tasmania.

Emergency department and wellbeing workforce project nurse Alice Barrett said in an often chaotic environment, the dogs could provide a much-needed moment of calm.

“We work really hard to the point where we might not prioritise taking breaks,” she said.

“This is five minutes where we can rest, and it reminds staff to look after themselves in a nice subtle way.”

Alice Barrett nurse with Lewy and Chilli therapy dogs. Picture: supplied

Running three times a week, the hospital’s therapy dog program spearheads the state health department’s Six Weeks of Wellbeing initiative.

Beginning on Monday, culture, talent and business partnering director Dorian Broomhall said there was plenty of evidence to show animal interaction helped reduce stress levels.

“Having a dog there just breaks the ice, and spikes a conversation between colleagues,” he said.

“We tend to be able to deal with whatever we have going on by having a dog there.

“But the point is to raise our literacy around what actions we can take to help sustain us.”

Therapy Paws co-founder Lisa Farrall said it was important to have the right dogs for the right settings.

“Some dogs like aged care more than a childcare centre, but as long as they love people we can work with that,” she said.

“We never have them there for longer than 90 minutes a day, because it’s too long, but it does make a huge difference that we don’t realise.”

Originally published as Lewy and Chilli among members of therapy dog program providing comfort for hospital staff