Translate
Hobart’s Peacock Centre has welcomed Facility Dog Ziggie as the newest member of its team to further enhance support for people experiencing mental health challenges.
Following a successful 12-week trial period, the Labrador cross Golden Retriever and handler will attend the site on a full-time and ongoing basis as the Centre’s resident Facility Dog in partnership with Guide Dogs Tasmania.
The Peacock Centre is already the first of its kind in Tasmania to have a lived experience workforce at its centre and will now welcome Ziggie to further enhance support for people attending the Safe Haven and experiencing mental health challenges and suicidal distress.
Ziggie has been trained to respond to changes in emotion specifically for this role; with her empathetic nature and love of hugs and cuddles from humans Ziggie is perfect for the job!
During the trial period, the Peacock Centre received extensive positive feedback from consumers and staff regarding Ziggie’s presence across the service, with people noting the impact of her calming and therapeutic presence.
The Peacock Centre is transforming the way mental health services are delivered in Tasmania, with its recovery-focused community-based approach representing a significant shift from traditional hospital-based mental health care.
Having Ziggie as part of the team fits perfectly with this approach and will only further improve patient outcomes by providing a calming and therapeutic presence for some of our most vulnerable Tasmanians in times of distress, as well as also benefiting staff.
Facility Dogs are highly trained to undertake skilled tasks and can provide support to people in challenging situations, including by making people feel more comfortable in a new or unfamiliar environment.
Dogs are assessed throughout their training and the most appropriate career path will be chosen based on their skills, abilities and characteristics.
Since it opened in April, the Peacock Centre has provided compassionate care and support to more than 2000 Tasmanians, often without the need for hospital presentation.
The Centre offers a suite of four complimentary new services which provide different levels of support to people experiencing mental ill health and their families and friends.
