At Wishlist, we’ve always believed in the power of connection and community, so we are thrilled to celebrate a program that embodies those values, while providing incredible comfort and joy to patients who need it most.
The Wishlist Therapy Dog Program is changing lives by bringing wagging tails and warm hearts into hospital rooms. With the vital support of the Petstock Foundation, we’re on a mission to get ‘more paws on hospital floors’ spreading smiles and boosting spirits along the way.
The Wishlist Therapy Dog Program was inspired by Norman, a golden retriever who became a beacon of hope at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Over his five years of service, Norman visited thousands of patients, offering them solace and companionship during challenging times.
Sadly, Norman passed away from cancer in December 2024. Though he is no longer with us, Norman’s legacy lives on through this program, ensuring his positive impact continues to ripple outward.
Former nurse, Margie Berbers, 63, suffers from Chron’s disease and must endure bi-weekly blood transfusions. Margie recalls the joy Norman offered during her hospital stays.
“He was just the most beautiful dog,” she says. “I was really sick in 2023, and I always looked forward to the days Norman was visiting, I’d write them up on the calendar.”
“You always feel love from dogs, they know exactly what you need, I don’t think I would have gotten through that year without him.”
“It’s amazing that we now have more therapy dogs continuing his work” Margie says.
Norman’s story serves as a heartwarming reminder of the extraordinary connection between humans and therapy animals.
Inspired by his work, Wishlist has been steadily building its Therapy Dog program over the past few months. What began as a trial with just two dogs, has since expanded to ten therapy dogs and eight volunteer handlers who bring unparalleled comfort and connection to patients across the region.
The remarkable growth of this program wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our partners at the Petstock Foundation. Dedicated to giving back to the community, the Petstock Foundation has generously contributed to Wishlist’s Therapy Dog Program and tapped into their expansive nationwide network to help the program grow.
This partnership has also allowed us to collaborate with SmartPups, an innovative organisation that provides assistance dogs who now conduct training visits to hospitals, preparing their assistance dogs for critical roles while brightening patients’ days.
This is more than just a corporate partnership, it’s a collaboration built on shared values.
Together, Petstock Foundation, SmartPups and Wishlist are working toward our common goal of expanding therapeutic animal visits across hospital wards and reaching even more people in need.
The benefits of therapy dogs are extraordinary. These four-legged companions are not just cute, their presence is transformational.
Research shows that therapy animals can improve mental health, lower stress levels, and even contribute to better patient outcomes.
For patients, families, and even healthcare staff, therapy dogs provide much-needed moments of relief, laughter, and connection amidst the often-overwhelming stress of hospital stays.
At Wishlist, our therapy dogs visit numerous departments, including Mental Health, Palliative Care, Cancer Care, Renal Services and the Rehabilitation Ward.
Golden retrievers Bonnie and Charlotte have helped pioneer our mental health visits, achieving remarkable outcomes for hospital consumers.
Their calm demeanour and easy affection have already proven to significantly lift spirits and create lasting positive impacts for so many individuals.
Each dog-and-handler team dedicates 90 minutes per visit, delivering joy one paw print at a time.
The Wishlist Therapy Dog Program is growing, but we need your help to ensure its continued success.
Our current work is driven by passionate volunteers and a deep commitment to making a difference. But as we strive to expand our reach, there’s a need for both funding and helping hands.
Imagine the smiles you can bring by contributing to this heartwarming initiative.
