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Take Your Dog to Work Day 2021 brings joy to Arcare residents



On Friday 25th June, Arcare aged care residences around Australia celebrated Take Your Dog To Work Day. Team members brought in their furry friends, both great and small, to interact with the community and accompany them for a day at work.

Not only was this a great excuse to get endless puppy love, but this initiative also had a number of social, mental and physical benefits for both aged care residents and staff.

Studies have shown that dogs in the workplace can help improve stress, communication, creativity, productivity and overall happiness for team members. While pet therapy for residents has been proven to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, reduce the risk of social isolation, and increase confidence and self-esteem among many other things.

See how some Arcare communities around Australia celebrated Take Your Dog To Work Day 2021 below…


Arcare Reservoir (Victoria)

The lucky residents and team members at Arcare Reservoir were treated to a special four-legged visit from seven-year-old teacup Poodle x Bichon, Millie (lead image).

Brought in regularly by her owner, Georgette Georges (Resident Manager), Millie has become an invaluable member to the Arcare Reservoir community.
“I bring Millie as I know the residents love her energy and spending time with her” Georgette says. 
“She has a very bubbly and friendly personality, and her size means she can be popped up onto laps and walking frames which is a very popular request.”

According to Georgette, there is a therapeutic quality that her visits bring for residents who may have diverse neurological abilities, with many of the dementia patients taking a special liking to her visits

Georgette Georges, Resident Manager and Guido Galea (resident) out for a stroll with Millie
88-year-old Arcare Reservoir resident, Guido Galea has dementia and is often quiet. However, when Millie comes to visit, he purposely makes his way to her, always smiling. He spends a lot of time patting her and talking to her, a sight that brings smiles to the team members’ faces!

“She reminds him of the dogs he had, and it's a very beautiful connection because Millie always wants to see him too. They go for a supported stroll together regularly and enjoy each other's company,” says Georgette.


Arcare, Civic Manor (Victoria)

Janet Rowley, Arcare Civic Manor Resident Manager, and resident 82-year old Risto Celevsk with Evee







Arcare Civic Manor also had a special guest visit from two-year-old Border Collie, Evee. This was Evee’s first visit of what will hopefully be many!

Arcare Brighton (Victoria)

Arcare Brighton hosted its own pet-get-together earlier in the week, celebrating the furry friends who have helped immensely with keeping residents socially connected during Covid. 

General Service Manager, Oliver Fajardo with his dog Baily, 

a seven-month-old Toy Poodle x Maltese Terrier








With friends and family visitations sporadically on hold during peak Covid periods, facilitating regular pet visits has become a standardised initiative for Arcare Brighton, with residents and team members loving the time with their four-legged friends.

Arcare Nirvana (Victoria)

Five-year-old Brittany Spaniel, Raffy visits the residents at Arcare Nirvana once a month with owner Delia Gawthorne (Lifestyle Coordinator) dedicating his time to one-on-one visits with the residents in the mornings and freely roaming the lounge in the afternoons for extra cuddles, pats and playtime.





Delia says her beloved pooch “tends to help bring [residents] out of their shell and they look forward to seeing him.”

Arcare Knox (Victoria)

Ten-year-old Golden Retriever, Billy, spent June 25 offering companionship and pupper love to the aged care residents at Arcare Knox

Billy with Arcare Knox resident
Carmen Lopez (91yo)
Billy accompanied his owner, Lee Pratt, (Arcare Knox Lifestyle Coordinator), to all of the lifestyle activities on the day. Billy, of course, stole focus away from the games with residents and team members doting on the pooch all day long. 

But this wasn't the senior pupper’s first time visiting the Arcare Knox community; his friendly, furry face is a familiar one, coming into work with Lee on a regular basis, both during COVID lockdowns and beyond. 

If Billy had his way, it would be Take Your Dog to Work Day every day. Keep up the good work Billy!



Arcare Springwood (Queensland)

Arcare Springwood General Services Manager, Amie Harrison, has been bringing in her five-year-old Terrier Poodle, Dolly, into work with her every Thursday. 

Amie Harrison with her dog Dolly
“Originally I was bringing Dolly in just for the day while we were in preventative lockdown." said Amie Harrison.

"She is the perfect little dog with a beautiful temperament, so I thought why not bring her in to share some happiness and give comfort to those who need it most. Now, she visits every week. I have clients asking me every day what day she will be here.”

Arcare Springwood resident, Patricia Carver said: “I'm an animal lover, so naturally I'm delighted to see her when she comes... 

She's very placid and everyone loves her and I like to have Dolly on my bed for cuddles.”


Arcare Seven Hills (New South Wales)

Brought in by her owner, Arcare Seven Hills Enrolled Nurse Elysse Hunter, Pippi has quickly become an honorary resident in Jupiter, the dementia community at Arcare Seven Hills, and even has her very own special spot reserved in the lounge. 

When the residents see that Pippi is here to play, they eagerly finish up what they’re doing to come over for pats and cuddles!

Pippi with Arcare resident May Denronden (79yo) & Pippi and Enrolled Nurse, Elysse Hunter






“I started bringing Pippi in after I first got her in February, as I thought all of the residents would enjoy seeing and interacting with her,” Elysse says. “Some of the benefits we have seen in our residents has been reduced feelings of anxiety and agitation when Pippi is around.”

MEDIA RELEASE, 30th June 2021


Related Topics:

Arcare aged care residents discover the power of pet therapy

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