School therapy dog’s handler reaches kindness awards final
学校で活動するセラピー犬のハンドラー、親切な人を表彰する賞の最終候補にほっこり
- Country:
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- Voice:
- 🇬🇧 Sophie
英語本文
Judi Sandilands-Cincotta, a former mental health nurse who works with female therapy dog Ollie in Kiama, Australia, has been named among 15 finalists for the inaugural Australia’s Kindest Person Awards. Teachers at Lake Illawarra High nominated her. During their visits, people pat and cuddle Ollie and shake her paw. Her handler says she provides a calm presence.
The pair visit Warilla and Lake Illawarra high schools and Lake South Primary School each week to support student well-being. Their volunteer visits also take them to libraries, hospital palliative-care and intensive-care units, and staff handling police and ambulance dispatch calls.
Medical issues prevented Ollie from becoming a guide dog, but Sandilands-Cincotta describes her calm nature as suited to therapy work. She began raising Guide Dog puppies in 2018. The award winners are due to be announced on 13 November at Dreamworld Resort, coinciding with World Kindness Day.