Four Legged Friends Connect a Community

Four Legged Friends Connect a Community

Kind support on the Gold Coast has kept some very special four legged friends on the road to provide an invaluable therapeutic program to people who are frail with age, have a disability or impairment, or who may be disconnected from services within the community.

 Pets for Therapy visits provide people the opportunity to connect with dogs on different levels. Studies have shown that animals can help lower blood pressure, encourage social engagement and increase confidence and esteem in the people they visit, as well as provide them with much love, laughter and joy.

For the past 26 years, Yvonne Cody has conducted her very own Pets For Therapy program on the Gold Coast. The vehicle that she uses to transport these inspirational four legged friends however even after all the efforts of her strong supporters One Stop Auto Care, it has become more and more inefficient to keep on the road. It is imperative that Yvonne has a safe and reliable car to assist her in maintaining her commitment to the people she visits.

So when FSG Australia (FSGA) found out that this service could be at risk of stopping they decided to take action and assist. FSGA believe in a community that connects with all people and is free of social injustice so it seemed clear that this vital volunteer service needed to be kept on the road.

FSGA took on the challenge and is proud to have been able to find another vehicle for Yvonne to utilize, ensuring that her volunteering days weren’t over, and that she could continue her promised visits to the people she walks alongside.

Thanks to FSGA’s partnership, Yvonne was handed the keys to her new Pets for Therapy car at an annual lunch where she provides special thanks and gives back to her very loyal and dedicated volunteers.

Vicki Batten, CEO of FSG Australia said; “As an organization that believes in connecting the community, it was important for us to support Yvonne in finding alternative transport so she can keep Pets for Therapy running. Yvonne does great work with people she walks alongside and often provides vital engagement for people that might have very little social engagement otherwise. We know from experience that social engagement is vital for people’s health and wellbeing and contributes to them feeling valued within their community.”

The team at FSG Australia hopes that Yvonne and her pawed companions enjoy their new mode of transport and look forward to working with Yvonne in the future.

If you would like to find out more information on Pets for Therapy or to make a donation you can visit: www.gallerygiselle.com/pettherapy.htm or contact Yvonne Cody on 07 578 2607

For more information about the different programs and services FSG Australia provide please visit: www.fsg.org.au

May Newsletter

MOTHERS DAY
The lessons and values a MOTHER gives are gifts to treasure always, not through word but by example.
To honour all the precious Mothers, we donned pink bows as did our doggies.

Dressed in pink and sporting a pink parasol Lucy and Misty delighted the audience and visitors, smiles and laughter showing the unconditional love that our canine companions bring as they went through their paces and after we spend a special time interacting and sharing pats and cuddles.

We were all thrilled to see Cavell enjoying Mother’s Day after a long illness, everyone has missed seeing Cavell and Frank and little Sunny Boy.

MILLION PAWS WALK

Sunday 17th May 2015 at Mt Tamborine on a lovely crisp morning, many of our Team enjoyed the 5km walk and then joined the festivities and relaxed with a wellearned
picnic lunch, what a wonderful setting with log fires burning.

Tara (staffie) at 16 years won the senior citizen award, well done Tara!!

Many thanks Team for a great turnout, we were featured in the Mt Tamborine news, best presented Team, Go “Pets For Therapy”

CANTEEN
CanTeen is the Australian charity that works with young people living with cancer. They
run a range of day and overnight programs throughout the year for their members to
offer them some respite, provide educational workshops and to provide an opportunity
for them to meet other young people going through similar circumstances.

We were thrilled to be invited after one of these sessions to provide light hearted and fun ‘pat and play ‘ with our canine companions at Mt Tamborine , ten of us attended and what a wonderful afternoon we all had meeting and greeting these very special people.

PFT ANNUAL LUNCHEON
To celebrate our 26th year of voluntary service to the local community on the Gold Coast, held once again at Coolibah Downs on Sunday 24th May, a glorious country setting in Nerang, we could not have asked for a better day with friends, sponsors, volunteers andsuch attentive staff making the day complete. The day gives me an
opportunity to thank our wonderful volunteers, loyal supporters and sponsors for their
never ending support over many years and welcome new
supporters.
We were entertained by Christeen (Live Music). Frank excelled as Master of Ceremonies as always keeping the audience entertained with his quick wit, my sincere thanks Frank and to all our Volunteers for their invaluable help on the day.

This year some of our doggies showed their skills in agility and obedience. Katrina (Diversional Therapist) a loyal supporter of PFT over many years enlightened
the audience as to the value and need of Diversional Therapy in the facilities on the Gold Coast.
FSG
(Freedom, Social justice & Growth)
We welcomed Michelle, Julie and Chris to our luncheon representing FSG, all Friends of “Pets For Therapy.”

We are proud to be visiting so many FSG houses and seeing Pet Therapy working at its best with these special people.
FSG surprised everyone at the end of the day presenting us with keys to a car donated by FSG to … “Keep Pets For Therapy Moving “
What a wonderful thing for them to do for us and we thank all concerned most sincerely.

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)