Hunny’s story inspires playgroup leaders

As Victoria’s first therapy dog in a supported playgroup environment, Hunny’s story had everyone buzzing at the Playgroup Victoria Conference last month in Melbourne, where the theme was ‘Better Together – Cultivating Connections’.

Owned and handled by Nerissa Gee, the Supported Playgroup Facilitator at Ararat Rural City Council, 18-month-old Hunny has been attending the Ararat supported playgroup for the past year.

Nerissa told about 50 people who chose to attend her presentation at the Conference that Hunny’s role was to bring people together and encourage connections.

“Hunny has a natural ability to show emotional support for the children, as well as their parents, if they are feeling unsure or vulnerable in the group setting, even if it is small and inviting,” said Ms Gee of her Kelpie x Border Collie.

Therapy dogs work to support the general emotional and mental wellbeing of people, and when word spread of Hunny’s success in bringing people together, Nerissa was invited to speak at the annual Playgroup Victoria Conference.

“Hunny makes the children feel less anxious and gives them cuddles if they feel like they’re having a bad day,” Ms Gee told conference attendees. “She does everything from sitting patiently with a child whilst they learn to write their name to making parents feel calmer if their child is being vaccinated.”

The infatuated crowd melted over Hunny’s photos (unfortunately she couldn’t be there on the day), especially the ones of her dressed up as book characters like Harry Potter.

“It was an honor to talk about Hunny to representatives of Victoria’s playgroup sector,” said Ms Gee. “She makes people feel safe, seen and connected and is well known to break down barriers between people generally caused by shyness or unsurety in new situations. She’s such an integral part of the Children’s Services team at Council.”

Nerissa added that some of her industry peers were keen to know how to have a therapy dog for their respective playgroup programs and she was eager to help them navigate the process.

Hunny and Nerissa are both certified by a reputable Therapy Dog Training provider.  Hunny also provides emotional support for participants at other Council’s programs for children and youth including the YEAH Crew.

CEO Dr Tim Harrison said as the first Local Government in Victoria to have a therapy dog ‘on staff’ in Children’s Services, he was delighted that Hunny’s story was inspiring others to follow suit.

“Nerissa and Hunny are a fantastic team and have made such a positive impact on local families,” he said. “And now they are inspiring other playgroup leaders to do the same in their communities, which is really pleasing.”

Left to right: Supported Playgroup Facilitators Nerissa Gee (Ararat Rural City Council), Lisa Gillard and Lisa Wisby (Northern Grampians Shire Council) and Carolyn Morrison (Buloke Shire Council) at the recent Playgroup Conference.