Dr Herbie

I am a 7yr old Labrador-Golden Retriever. I was puppy raised at Frank Baxter Detention Centre (NSW), moved through short-term care arrangements and eventually came to live with Andrea and my adopted human family in July 2019.

I really dig meeting people, making fur friends, running, walking, sniffing, laying about in the sun, playing chase, being patted, swimming, getting scratched under the chin and behind my ears, eating and my being in my bed office.

My favourite foods are too long to list but some of them include watermelon, broccoli, cooked meats, salmon, dew on grass (which he says is like drinking nectar), Greek yoghurt (straight from the pot), carrots, bananas and sticks. 

I completed the Guide Dogs NSW program with a qualification in Animal Assisted Therapy (one level below a service Guide Dog). I am proud of my career choice not to be a fully pledged service dog but instead focus on being a therapist as this gives me far greater reward and creative expression in my work with young people, adults and families as well as my professional colleagues.

With my human colleague Andrea, I have worked within government, non-government and community sectors supporting young people, adults and families through complex trauma, grief, family separation and mental health. 

Ultimately what I enjoy the most is working alongside young people, adults and families who are healing from complex trauma, grief and working through mental health issues. 

My self-acclaimed role as Doctor of Animal Therapy is pawsome and I hope to have sniffs, licks and tail wags with you soon.