Therapy dogs are a patient's best friend

We know that dogs are their owner’s best friend, but a unique therapy program at Epworth hospitals is proving that the love of dogs can give can also boost patient recovery.

Epworth HealthCare and Lort Smith are celebrating the second anniversary of a partnership where therapy dogs visit patients in the cardiac, cancer and dialysis wards to brighten their day and help reduce their heart rates, blood pressure, anxiety and stress.

The program started at Epworth Richmond and Epworth Eastern (Box Hill) in 2024, followed by Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne) in May last year. There are now plans to expand the program with more visits at Richmond and Freemason in the second half of 2026, and looking to include Epworth Geelong for the first time.

Kylie Semple, Volunteer Services Manager Epworth Medical Foundation, said the Lort Smith has made about 200 individual visits to the hospitals since the program started, or more than 800 hours.

Ms Semple said was proud of the program, but the real stars are the dogs and their volunteer handlers. They include Alastair and Rosie, Chelsea and Louis, Sharon and Barkley, Fiona and Mr Walker, Jo and Elvis, Clare and Pickles, and Lisa and Lola.

“Pet therapy enhances our volunteer program by offering a specialised, high impact role that enriches both patient care and volunteer engagement,” Ms Semple said.

“Pet therapy offers a gentle, non clinical form of care that supports healing by reducing stress and encouraging emotional connection. A visit from a therapy dog often changes the tone of a patient’s entire day - bringing moments of joy, reassurance, and normality at a time when it’s needed most.

Healing doesn’t always come from medicine - sometimes it comes with a wagging tail.

Lort Smith Community Programs Manager Megan Nutbean said the visiting volunteers and their dogs bring comfort, happiness and relief to people experiencing illness, pain, adversity and loneliness.

“Whether through sitting with a patient and sharing some affection, placing a gentle head on the lap of someone in distress or by having a bit of fun or showing off their special talents during a visit, the positive impact dogs have on people in places like the Epworth can be profound,” Ms Nutbean said.

“Evidence suggests interacting with visiting dogs and volunteers can reduce stress and anxiety in clients, alleviate pain and suffering, reduce loneliness, improve motivation for faster recovery and lead to improvements in behaviour, confidence, social skills, mental health and general wellbeing.

“We look forward to continuing of amazing partnership with Epworth, providing much need pet therapy to those that need it the most.’’