Karen Christie

"We have had many special moments but one I always remember, even more so now that Rex, a resident has passed. Rex was a lovely man who always woke up to see our Frankie and cuddle him, the smile and doggie kisses they shared were just beautiful. Frankie would always go straight to him when we arrived at the village, as though he always know Rex needed him."

Kim-Michelle Flanagan

"A few months ago we visited a new lady who was having a hard time since her stroke. She was unable to move her hand, Hazel sensed this and licks it each time we visit. This lady can now bend her fingers. Hazel knows exactly what each resident needs and much time to share her love and care of them."

John Rainham

"Izzie, my Golden Retriever and I visit Kenepuru Hospital each Friday where long term patient Paul is always awaiting her arrival. They are the best of friends now."

Wendy Pearson

"During one of my library stints, I was visited by a young man in his 20s with an intellectual handicap. His face just lit up when he saw my dog and he couldn’t wait to pat her and talk to her, and then to me. Really brought home the message of how special dogs are."

Nikita Wooding

"My favourite time would have to be visiting Joan, a resident, for the first time and seeing her face light up when Bowie, with a very wagging tail entered her room."

May Evans

"One of my favourite moments is when taking Ruby to the dementia unit at Peacehaven, Invercargill, one of the residents always puts his hand out and says “doggie” when we reach him, and gives her a big pat. He is usually non-verbal and just plays away with plastic trays on his bench most of the time. This is why we do it, isn’t it?"

Olga Speranskaya

"Our special moment was joining in a game where dementia patients were throwing balls and Coby became fixated on following them. The patients found it immensely entertaining as the game originally didn’t involve a dog but Coby re-wrote the rules!"

Bruce Halligan

"I took a photo of Phylis with Ralph and gave her a few copies. She was really chuffed with them and has one prominently displayed in her room and as sent copies to her sons."

Caroline Densem

"I enjoy taking Ebony to the Christchurch Womans Prison. One of our visits one of the young woman had a whole half an hour with Ebony to herself and she had a great time getting Ebony to give her hi fives ,sit and wait then come etc etc it was lovely to see her happy to spend time with Ebony."

Joanne Chong

"Every Sunday, Cobbie trots into the lounge with his tail wagging and bum wiggling, greeting the residents with pure joy. Watching the love and comfort he brings them – and the deep meaning it holds for me – is truly heartwarming, and something I will treasure forever."

Sarah McLachlan

"Some of my most special moments at Waikeria Corrections Facility have been hearing people say things like this has made my day! or I feel like crying! One man even gave Layla a karakia – a Māori blessing – before his release, showing just how deep and genuine the bond with a therapy dog can be."

Miriam Chamberlain

"One of the ladies in a village I visit has not wanted anything to do with Freddie for 3 years. This week as I passed nearby, she jumped up with a big smile and asked if she could pat him and carefully gave him a hug. I felt it was a very precious moment."

Shannon McGarry

"We worked for a good 6 months or so with a wonderful patient on the spinal ward at Burwood Hospital. He left and went on to get his own lovely dog. We had the pleasure one day of all coinciding during one of his check ups, and he had his dog ‘Harley’ with him. Luci and her hit it off immediately and had an adorable wee gentle play in the corridor, it was heart warming."

Clare Bayly

"A recent visit initiated a spontaneous intro to ‘the true meaning of a dog’ as relayed by an ex farmer to a nursing recruit. She talked about a resident who came into care reluctantly, mourning her home and independence. This woman’s unhappiness was manifest - until a certain apricot Standard Poodle started visiting her. As the farmer said to the nurse ‘I’m used to working dogs but had heard how dogs can connect, in a unique and meaningful, way with people. And I witnessed this first hand in the transformation of this woman. Bowie helped make her new residence, her home. She felt seen. She felt loved. She was happy.’ Hearing this unsolicited insight was incredibly humbling and endearing."

Lyn Lewis

"The most special moment for me and my canine friend Lucy, was when we visited the local secure psych ward. Lucy spent 20 minutes or so with a young woman who was lying mute and non responsive after a suicide attempt. Lucy persisted with giving love to her until finally the beautiful woman began to stroke her and respond. When we left, the Therapist who supervised us said “ You don’t know the value of what you did today.” I felt humbled to be able to help by connecting a loving dog with a needy woman."

Margaret Scaife – LO Nelson

"A special moment in Nelson/Tasman came when the Waimea Soroptimists asked to learn more about CFPT. Helen Macdonald and her beautiful black Poodle came with me when I gave my talk. The ladies were very interested in learning about us and one said she would love to visit. Belle impressed them all with her lovely manners, smart uniform and some neat tricks."

Katja Williams

"Jessie was asked to sit with a young woman in hospital due to skyhigh blood pressure – and after 10 minutes, the lady’s blood pressure was back to normal – no medication had achieved that in 3 days."

Tania MacBeth

"When Millie and I first started visiting we met a gentleman who was bed-bound and hadn’t spoken for a while. When I lifted Millie up to introduce her, he stroked her head and spoke her name."

Jo Broadhead

"The sheer look of joy from residents at the rest home when we bring the dogs in, is just so rewarding. I have one very frail bedridden resident who appears to have no family. Whenever I take Henry in, her eyes light up and while she doesn’t say much, she adores stroking Henry’s ears and head. She always murmurs “God Bless You” as we leave. It truly makes her day. I’m hugely proud of my canine friend."

Sue Townsend

"I used to visit a very lovely lady called Jane at a rest home with my little chihuahua Penny. Every time we visited, Jane would say to Penny “oooh, I wish I had a waggly tail like you. If I did, I would wag it all day long!” Penny loved hearing that and would wag her tail even harder. Jane had significant dementia, and very sadly died earlier this year. After her death one of the staff told me that she would often mention ‘the little dog’ whose visits she enjoyed so much. I know that she never recognised me from one visit to the next, but she very definitely recognised Penny and was able to retain the memories of her and recount the pleasure she had from our visits. Sadly my wee Penny has subsequently died also, so I hope they are having lovely visits together at the Rainbow Bridge."

Debbie Eden

"The last time I visited Richmond Summerset, Cruz got up on the couch with a man who had lost his wife eight weeks earlier and rested his head on the man’s lap. I know this man would have been over the moon as he loves dogs and often walks along the reserve to them being walked. It’s times like these that warm your heart to know that with a sincere act of kindness you have given joy to a person who really needs it. I love my boy for his loving nature."

Maggie Braviner

"During a session of children reading to dogs in Napier I met a child who was having her first session. Her mum said she doesn’t like to read and won’t read. After one session reading to Rusty her mum said she went home and that is all she did for the whole week. How wonderful to have been a part of that."

Sharyn Waterman – LO Waikato

"My favourite moment was getting together with our volunteers to celebrate National Volunteer Week. I love the connection we have and the sharing of stories over morning tea. Lauren (joint LO) made a divine cake and it was such a joy to see our dogs having fun and enjoying a special treat."

Pene Leadbetter

"One of our most memorable was when they’d decorated the Christmas tree in one of the sitting areas and Carly thought all HER Christmases had come at once. The residents thought it hilarious her trying to get to the tree to eat it!"

Janet Fosberry

"A patient who had been in the Stroke Ward for three weeks was unresponsive but suddenly became quite animated and spoke for the first time since being admitted. Her first words were “I had three Chihuahuas”. The staff were crying. All I had done was placed her hand on my dog’s head, then she moved her fingers."

Rachel Davison

"My special moments were visiting our Founder, Eileen Curry, always inspiring...."

Annette Coughlan

"I was walking down the hall at Malvina Major after our duty was finished and we were approached by a lady and her two daughters. Their dad/grandad was in his final moments of life, and he had always had German Shepherds. The lady asked if we could visit her dad. We followed the family and Isla gently got up on the side of the bed and licked the gentleman’s face. The smile was amazing – so we were very happy to give him and the family a special moment. I heard the following week that he passed very soon after we left. "

Gary Muir

"My regular visits to the wards in Palmerston North Hospital are always fruitful. These visits give 100% feedback, and it is an enjoyment to share my Greyhound with the patients. I have had several great outcomes from my visits. One, especially because the person in the ward I was speaking to used to breed Greyhounds and we had a long and interesting talk about Greyhounds and the proposed halting of Greyhound racing."

Ali Kay

"Our special moment when visiting one of the Blenheim rest homes. The old man’s guarded posture gives way to a softening of the shoulders as Lucy the golden retriever approaches. Lucy leans against the man’s leg, a warm, solid, and non-demanding anchor. A clenched hand slowly uncurls and rests on her soft fur. For both of them, this touch is the entire conversation – a wordless exchange of comfort, trust, and acceptance."

Carol Millican

"Probably the most unforgettable moment I have had visiting with my dog was when a woman unexpectedly came up to us to request a visit for her father who was terminally ill. Jess was quick to respond and happily went into the side room looking to give comfort to the man. I didn’t know that he was semi conscious and unresponsive and his two daughters had been sitting with him for quite a while. One daughter said ‘here’s a Border Collie come to see you Dad’. The man stirred and suddenly whistled to attract Jess’s attention. We all cried."

Glenda Rodger

"Not only does Josh have special moments but I have them too. The look on the faces when we arrive is of share delight. One man was told that we’d be in the lounge and he waited 30 mins, when he finally saw us the smile on his face was sheer joy. Josh giving a few he likes a friendly kiss or lick. Or Josh cuddling up with someone on their bed if they aren’t too well. The great conversations I have as they get to know you more. You get back just as much as you give. "

Paul Atkinson

"George and my “Special Moment(s)” is from visits to a Gentleman (Len) residing in Wharerangi who was pretty well bed ridden. He used to have a Golden Lab and had a picture of the dog in his room. The first time he met George and few times thereafter he often commented quite sincerely that our visit had ‘really made his day’. Len has unfortunately since passed. "

Kay Mathewson

"During my visits with Ruby I love hearing about the resident’s own beloved pets from their earlier days. "

Ann Evans

"Having your child in hospital is never easy for anyone, but to brighten a child’s day and bring a smile to their face is pure joy. Paddington and I visit Palmerston North Hospital Children’s Ward."

Fran Watkins

"One of my favorite moments each week is seeing Poppy’s whole body light up with excitement as we arrive – she knows she’s about to see her friends. The joy she brings (and receives!) is so special, and over time, we’ve made some truly wonderful connections. I’m not sure who loves it more, Poppy or the residents!"