Sophie

Top Dog with a Job Finalist

Sophie

Breed: Poodle

Barking from: SA

Job title: She is a Psychiatric Assistance Dog

What's up dog?

Sophie is a "MindDog" and her job is to comfort and support me when my depression flares up. She also goes one step further and will go to others when she feels they need help. She will lick my face and press her head and body in to me when I am upset. She will nudge me as if to say “it's ok I'm here and I love you”. All I have to do is sniff and she is there. If I can't sleep she will lay on me or press herself in to me. I recently lost my dad and I cannot believe how she reacted. She was nothing short of amazing. I took her with me to dad's funeral and I swear if she could have melded in to me she would have. When my brother was speaking she wanted to be with him. Afterwards when we had everyone here at home she went around making sure everyone was ok and spent some time with those that needed it. My family were shocked as many of them had never seen her work before. A few weeks later I had her with me at the supermarket and an old gentleman asked about her. He was lovely and reminded me of dad and of course I started to cry. Soph immediately asked to be picked up to comfort me. One time when dad was in hospital a few years ago I had her with me and there was a lovely older lady in the room across. Soph wouldn't settle in dad's room. I was talking to dad and turned around to see she was gone. This was very unusual as she never leaves my side. She had gone to the room opposite and was getting some love from the lady across. Turns out she had been in hospital for some time and had a dog of her own that she had not seen since she was admitted. She said that Sophie had made her day as she was feeling quite down in the dumps about being there. Sophie just seems to gravitate towards people that need help. She is truly amazing and I have never seen or known a dog to be as empathetic as she is. In her down time she loves going on nature walks and playing ball is her favourite activity. She has a very impressive ball collection. She once found a ball under a shelving rack in Kmart so now every time we go into a shop she checks under the shelves for balls 🤣. Sophie has literally saved my life and I would truly be lost without her. I am never alone.

2024 OZ Top Dog with a Job award criteria

Purpose

This award celebrates a top dog that makes a positive difference in our society for the work they do to improve human (or animal!) lives on a day-to-day basis. 

 

Reach

Is the dog dedicated to assisting one human, or an entire team or office? 

 

Impact

How big an impact does this dog have in their workplace? Explain how much your canine friend has impacted the office culture, or improved mental health at work or of those around them. Give examples of how they have made an impact. 

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