MEDIA RELEASE

Little Bro learns the ropes from Big Bro

Weighing in at almost 80 kilos, French Mastiff Tolly is a powerful presence around everyone he meets, especially children and those going through emotional turmoil.

 

Tolly, aged four, along with his human mum Caroline are one of Lort Smith’s 130 pet therapy teams that go out to youth justice centres, cancer hospitals, aged care and hospitals across Victoria.

 

‘’Tolly has a unique gift where he can smell adrenaline,’’ says Caroline. ‘’He knows when someone is stressed and he knows how to calm someone almost right away.’’’

 

Caroline says Tolly has been focused on reading people’s emotions since he was a puppy. ‘’I knew straight away he was destined to make a difference in people’s lives. The power of animals is hugely underestimated,’’ says Caroline.

 

And now Tolly has become a big brother to 11-week-old Herbert who is the household’s next pet therapy dog in training.

 

“Herbert has already shown signs of being a good pet therapy dog, he follows Tolly around everywhere is learning the ropes. He is a calm and happy little puppy. We need more of dogs in people’s lives, they make an incredible difference. It blows me away what they are capable of.’’

 

Community Programs Manager at Lort Smith, Megan Nutbean, agrees.

 

‘’We see some amazing outcomes with our pet therapy program and it’s an area that is growing, says Megan. ‘’We are so grateful for all our teams that make an incredible change to so many lives. Research has clearly demonstrated the healing affects animals have on mental and physical health and now even more people than ever want to be part of that.’’

 

‘’At Lort Smith we believe in and promote the benefits of the human–animal bond which goes beyond companionship.’’

 

MEDIA INTERVIEWS & CONTACT

Suzana Talevski: Head of Media and Digital Content, Lort Smith
Mobile: 0403 047 945
Email: [email protected]