Janet started her volunteer work at Juniper in July 2015 with her dog Hamish, visiting residents at Juniper Sarah Hardey, a residential aged care home in Kelmscott.

An 8-year-old rough-coated Griffon Bruxellois, Hamish provides love and cuddles to the residents who are always delighted to see him.

Janet is a member of Animal Companions Inc, a not-for-profit organisation based in Western Australia, offering dog therapeutic visits to people in the community.

“I love to see the smiles on peoples’ faces when they interact with Hamish, and they quite often tell me about the beloved pets they used to have”.

“Animal Companions Inc introduced me to Juniper and now Hamish and I visit one afternoon per fortnight. The residents are always delighted to see him and enjoy his affection – this occasionally includes a cream biscuit!”

Animals not only offer companionship and affection; research shows they may have the ability to boost health and general wellbeing.

“Therapy dogs can have a positive impact on people by interacting with them. The residents often tell me how much they miss their pets,” said Janet.

“Although we only visit once a fortnight, I see the joy Hamish brings to the residents. I hope that in his own small way, he contributes to their overall happiness and wellbeing.”

Janet says the staff at Juniper Sarah Hardey also look forward to visits from Hamish and pay him lots of attention, which of course he loves.

“They are always very kind and welcoming to us both and make me (and I believe Hamish too!) feel part of the team.”

To all our valuable volunteers like Janet – thank you!

Become a Volunteer

There are many ways to volunteer with Juniper. Whether you’re a good listener, arts and crafts guru or a talented musician, your unique skills could make a huge difference in the lives of others. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit our Volunteer Page or get in touch with us on 9240 0313 and speak with our Volunteer Coordinator.