All Stories

Enid & Bailey: A story of love, loss and new beginnings

Enid from WA

From heartbreak to healing, 78-year-old Enid has experienced love, loss and new beginnings with rescue dogs from SAFE Inc – like Bailey, who brings her joy and unwavering support in her retirement years.

Deb cherishes a feathered wedding at Snug Village

Deb from TAS

Deb loves life at Snug Village surrounded by animals from alpacas, baby ducks, cats and therapy dogs to beloved budgies Rosie and Pretty! She even got to attend a budgie wedding!

Olly the Maltese is Barry’s treasure for life

Barry from QLD

When Barry moved into aged care, he could no longer care for Olly. But Tara from BUPA Aged Care New Farm came to the rescue.

A pawfect living situation for Estelle and her dog Amber Rose

Estelle from VIC

Entering residential aged care was scary for 65-year-old Estelle Kenny. However, Bupa Clayton’s pet-friendly policy made all the difference when the team welcomed Estelle and her cherished Cavoodle, Amber Rose five months ago.

Monkey the Chihuahua spreads joy to aged care residents and staff

Gloria from QLD

From Happy Hour and Sunday Karaoke to daily lunches, dinners and resident catch-ups, Gloria and her four-legged companion, Monkey, spread joy and companionship throughout the BUPA Aged Care Cairns community.

Phillis embraces independence caring for Charlie with in-home support

Phil from SA

Living at home with Charlie the parrot brings 82-year-old Phillis immense joy and companionship. She values the support provided by pet friendly in-home care provider Hazel Home Care to live independently.

Pippa brightens everyone’s day at Orana Aged Care

Sandra from QLD

Sandra Spresser, 81, lost her much-loved cats Marmalade and Toulouse before moving to Orana Aged Care in Queensland. Now she receives daily cuddles from Pippa the Schmoodle who lifts her spirit and brightens her day.

With Bonny, everything seems better

Paul from VIC

Paul Debar tells how Bonny makes him feel safe and everything seems better together at Lifeview in Victoria.

Roxy makes BUPA Clayton aged care facility feel like a home

Patrick from VIC

BUPA Clayton General Manager Patrick Cullen tells how Roxy touches the lives of everyone at BUPA Clayton, a pet friendly aged care home in Victoria.

Pets are imperative in the lives of older people, saving lives

Joanne from NSW

Joanne owes her life to Frankie, her Delta Therapy Dog, for detecting her stage 4 melanoma and alerting the neighbours when she fell twice and needed an ambulance. Today, Frankie shares her healing magic with others at nursing homes, hospitals, schools and workplaces.

Saying goodbye to your pet shouldn’t be an option to move into aged care

Rolf from TAS

Rolf is nearly 80 years old and cannot imagine the pain of those who must give up their pets to move into an aged care facility. He has no intention of doing so without his four cats!

Astro the therapy dog makes great company for aged care residents

Loris from TAS

Loris Leverett loves visits from Astro the therapy dog at Glenview Community Services residential aged care facility in Tasmania.

Therapy dogs help residents build connections, ease stress and anxiety

Anne from TAS

Anne Bolt and her therapy dog Nero spread love, companionship and joy to aged care residents in Tasmania.

Pets enhance older people’s lives at home in myriad ways

Jackie from QLD

When Jackie’s husband passed away a couple of years ago, her little Poodle, Mica, became her lifeline and closest member of her family.

Pets bring happiness and companionship to residents in aged care

Mary from QLD

After moving into residential aged care, 80-year-old Mary Lester’s life changed for the better with Freckles, the canine resident of St Vincent’s Care Services in Toowoomba, QLD.

Bringing Brock was a condition of entry into seniors living

Pauline and Robin from ACT

Pauline and Robin moved with their dog Brock from Melbourne to Greenway Views ACT in 2022. Bringing Brock was a must have – a condition of entry to the retirement and aged care village as they would not have moved without him.

Pet friendly residential aged care benefits animals, too

Jean and Peter from QLD

Peter, 90 and Jean, 92 are residents of Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities along with their beloved rescue dog, Sandy, who loves the attention she gets from everyone in the community

Pet support in home and in residential aged care is vital

Bernice from VIC

Bernice is a 79-year-old resident of Glen Waverley, Victoria and a lifelong cat lover. She shares her experience with the Commonwealth Home Support LinkPETS and Community Visitors Scheme programs, provided by Link Health and Community.

A life dedicated to saving older dogs

Gary from TAS

Gary, 71, has been a volunteer for the Dogs’ Home of Tasmania for nearly 30 years and has adopted 12 dogs from the shelter, focusing on providing older dogs a safe and secure home for their final years. His story is a lesson in compassion and giving.

Purpose-built, pet friendly facilities will always have a waiting list

Rev Barbara from VIC

Rev Barbara Allen has always been passionate about pet friendly aged care living.

QED and Rusty – born to entertain!

Robyn from VIC

Robyn Youl is a retired poetry teacher and former dog obedience instructor from Victoria. Aged 77, Robyn has advanced scoliosis, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Yet this amazing lady volunteers every week at aged care facilities with her equally remarkable canine companions, QED and Rusty.

A long life blessed by the love of dogs

Chris from TAS

In my experience there is always another beautiful dog waiting to meet with you and deserving of a second chance and a new home.

Love, patience and determination makes for the best dog in the world

Anna from WA

Anna didn’t give up on Tilly and now she has the ‘best dog in the world’.