Goldee: Famous Gold Coast therapy dog dies at 13 after years of community service

A small golden puppy which grew up to become one of the Gold Coast’s best-loved therapy dogs has died. Tributes are flowing for the dog which “brought happiness and friendship and enjoyment”.

TRIBUTES are flowing for one of the Gold Coast’s best-loved therapy dogs who has died after more than a decade serving the community.

Goldee the therapy dog passed away at the age of 13 after a long career visiting aged care centres and bringing joy to their residents.

She had been the companion of Currumbin couple Rodney and Mary Garling.

Goldee was born in January 2009 and was initially destined to become a guide dog, with the Gold Coast City Council spending $25,000 to sponsor her.

Goldee as a puppy in her years in the Guide Dog training program. Picture: Supplied.

Then-Mayor Ron Clarke heaped praise on Goldee in May that year when she made her debut at the Evandale chambers and shaking paws with city leaders.

“It’s rewarding to have played a role in helping Guide Dogs Queensland raise Goldee so she can help vision-impaired people achieve greater mobility and independence,” he told the Bulletin in 2009.

Goldee in 2010.

While the small dog completed her training in 2010, she was found to not be a suitable candidate for a career as a guide dog and instead returned to live with the Garlings where she found a new calling.

Goldee the Gold Coast therapy dog has died. Picture: Supplied.

Currumbin councillor Daphne McDonald paid tribute to Goldee’s service and a “life well-lived”.

“Recently, Rodney and Mary kindly got in touch with me to advise that Goldee had sadly passed away, but they also shared some positive news of Goldee’s contributions to our communities over the years,” she said.

“It turns out, all of the behavioural skills did make Goldee the ideal therapy dog and she spent the following 11 years doing weekly visits to four different aged care centres on the Gold Coast.

“She brought happiness and friendship and enjoyment to the residents and attended many of their special events.”

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Originally published as Goldee: Famous Gold Coast therapy dog dies at 13 after years of community service