IN A bid to “put smiles on people’s faces” a Hay woman is touring the Riverina together with her trusted furry friends.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Steph Dickie, who runs Angel Paws and Hooves, said her pet therapy animals – pony Black Santos and dogs Pebbles and Sarah – would visit
those doing it tough, especially during the festive season.
Walking along Banna Avenue on Tuesday, decorated with tinsel and dressed as furry mini Santas, Ms Dickie said her animals aimed to get people into the spirit of Christmas.
Her Angel Paws and Hooves program has been running for over five years, and in this time it has seen the therapy animals visit residents at retirement homes and patients at hospitals across the region.
“My dogs work in palliative care and are a great support to family members at the end stage,” Ms Dickie said.
“I also support the families and friends at funerals when needed, and the dogs are always with me.”
Ms Dickie said her Angel Paws program started with retirement home visits by one of her dogs, before Black Santos joined the team.
“The hooves came into it when I was donated a beautiful miniature horse for the pet therapy program with great results,” she said.
“Just recently he volunteered for a Can Assist fund-raiser and raised $500 for the charity.”
Ms Dickie said the idea behind the program was simple: “It’s quite easy. The animals make people smile.”