Anne & Koffi

“The staff are great. We have to say hello to the outside office staff, the ward clerk and the nursing staff before we reach the children.”

Name: Anne Allen and Koffi

Type of dog: Beagle, 4 years old

Location: Queensland

Visits: Children’s hospital; Mental health

Volunteering: 3 years

Enjoys most: Originally I was a little concerned as this is a “locked” ward but I needn’t have worried. The children in this ward are often there for many weeks, sometimes months, so we get to know them and they Koffi. It’s nice to see them respond to treatment and get better.

Dog enjoys:  Koffi , being a beagle, loves to get treats. She earns them for doing tricks. I tell the children how to get Koffi to do them. Sometimes they are so enthusiastic poor Koffi’s head spins.

Reaction: The staff are great and love Koffi’s visits, sometimes I think, more than the children. We have to say hello to the outside office staff, the ward clerk and the nursing staff before we reach the children.

Koffi is a cutie (everyone says so, not just me) and attracts comments from the car park, to the volunteer center and through the hospital on our way to our ward. She will say “Hello” to everyone. All good advertising.

Experiences: At Christmas time I took Koffi dressed as a reindeer. She shakes a lot when she has something attached to her so the bells on her outfit were ringing quite loudly. No one could miss her. She loves the attention.