Community Award Winner

Community worker wins Gaven seniors award

A community worker who has spent 25 years through her commitment to bringing happiness to people’s live through pets has been  awarded the Gaven Electorate’s most community-minded senior citizen for 2014.

Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas MP presented  Yvonne Cody of Nerang with the award at a seniors morning tea he hosted in Nerang this morning to mark Seniors Week.

“Yvonne  formed the Pets for Therapy program which through volunteers and their dogs visit aged care homes and respite centres,” Dr Douglas said.

“Behind the scenes Yvonne and her team work tirelessly to ensure the service is of the highest standard.

“Much time and work goes into the selection process, co-ordination of the program and volunteers and training of the dogs.

“Yvonne’s commitment to the cause is further demonstrated by her follow-up with the people she works with.

“She liaises with both the aged care homes and volunteers to gain feedback and input to continue to deliver a high standard service.

“Yvonne’s program demonstrates her ongoing commitment to the community.”

Dr Douglas started the award in 2010 to recognise the contribution of seniors in the community. Previous winners Edna McLeod and Elsa Easton attended today.

Alex and Yvonne Cody 22.8.14

July Newsletter

WINTER THEME

Spreading smiles laughter and love is our motto and we certainly started the month doing just that with our doggies keeping warm in their jackets, scarves and beanies. Our first visit for the month was at Anglicare Day Respite in Southport where we were warmly welcomed by both staff and visitors to share a delicious morning tea, thank you so much girls and guys!!

Then our doggies showed off their special skills playing hooplar, socca, balancing, jumping through hoops, obedience and tricks.

Along with the audience Frank remembered days of fun and frivolity visiting the Mudgeeraba Show Grounds.

BAVIA HOUSE

Our second visit for the month visiting long standing friends we have made over the years is so special to us all , the audience being blind and visually impaired we verbally describe every event along with music , songs and poetry , the audience participation is wonderful as we describe colour , tricks , dogs pedigree or X , size, age etc . A fun morning was had by all who attended and then such lovely fluffy dogs to feel and pat, the smiles on their faces say it all as we leave we feeling a special glow and appreciation.

THIS MONTH’S VISITS

Anglicare Day Respite Southport

Bavia House Moana Park

Blue Care Day Respite Coomera

St James –Arcare Helensvale

Oz Care Day Respite Runaway Bay

Tallai Glades Aged Care Mudgeeraba

Ozanam Villa “Keith Turnbull Place” Labrador

Oz Care Day Respite Burleigh Heads

Tri-Care Labrador

Woodlands Lodge Arundel

LETTER’S RE PFT ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Thank’ s to everyone who wrote to us saying what an enjoyable luncheon they had with us at Coolibah Downs meeting up with old friends and sending photo’s they had taken on the day and hoping we can all be there again next year .

A special thank you to Brian and Fran x Uncle Tom’s Pet Supplies Nerang, they travelled over two hours to attend again this year.

GOLD COAST BENJI

THE POWER OF LOVE ………My Incredible Journey

What wonderful foresight you had Karin to bring this little guy into being , we at PFT are proud to know Benji personally and the amazing work he has done raising much needed funds for the needy not just on the Gold Coast but numerous countries . His vision is to help create a world where unconditional love motivates us all, to help and support others less fortunate than ourselves.

If you have not yet read this book please do so, a remarkable little guy >

Thank you Karin.

A SPECIAL MEMORY

Life brings smiles, tears and memories.

The tears dry, smiles fade, but the memories will live forever.

PFT were invited to attend a goodbye service for Norma, a very special lady we befriended some years ago at The Domain Ashmore. Yuki and Bobby, Yvonne & Misty attended, Norma loved the dogs to visit and spend time with her on her patio surrounded by flowers and hanging baskets.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

Many thanks to Donna Journalist Gold Coast Seniors news for a great write up on our wonderful service to the local community for the last 25 years and to Andrew at the Gold Coast Sun for your article.

We have had impressive feedback from both articles with new faces coming along to support PFT.

I would like to thank our Sponsors and welcome new Sponsors, the names of which are on the Pets for Therapy website: www.gallerygiselle.com/pettherapy.htm

Cheers from Yvonne (Coordinator) and Misty (the wonder dog)