Nine month old chocolate Labradoodle Lotte has been visiting St Francis every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday since she was a puppy, and is in training as a therapy dog. 

Therapy dogs like Lotte are an increasingly common sight in many homes where they provide affection, comfort and love to the residents, while helping to improve socialisation, emotional well-being and more. 

St Francis residential manager Sharon Hesse said Lotte was a delight. 

"Lotte's presence in the home is great for the residents. Both residents and Lotte have developed a deep connection with each other," she said. 

"We have a relatively young resident, Suzie, who suffers from advanced dementia. Lotte will climb up on her walker whilst Suzie wheels her around the unit. Suzie has a big smile on her face whenever this happens." 

Lotte often serves as an icebreaker as she wanders the hallways of the home under supervision. As employees move from room to room or navigate the home, residents who might not usually stop and talk or engage socially are encouraged to give Lotte a pat or a scratch.

The bouncing Labradoodle isn't a certified therapy dog yet.

Once she is 12 months old a locally based accredited trainer in Orange will take her for training, supervision and assessment, and hen she passes her tests she will become a registered therapy dog and be allowed to walk the Home without supervision.

In the meantime, Lotte continues to make a big difference in the lives of both staff and residents.

"St Francis now has an animal reflection area in the gardens with some furniture for employees and residents to use. The Pastoral Care Co-ordinator has started running prayer groups in this new space and Lotte joins them," Mrs Hesse said.