Fluffy Frejya Delights Residents at Coffs Haven

Coffs Haven residents have recently been treated to weekly visits by a new fluffy visitor—Freyja the Therapy Dog. 

It’s well known that therapy animals play a significant role in the ongoing health and wellbeing of residential care residents. Regular engagement with these animals can promote better cognitive function, improved connection and interaction with others and reduce stress levels, agitation, and anxiety. 

The beautiful five-year-old White Swiss Shepherd has been trained as a therapy dog since birth and commenced in aged care from the age of 10 weeks, completing 1000 hours of training till the age of two. Both of her parents have won top of their breed, her mum, Penny in Australia, and her dad, Boss in Germany. 

Freyja worked at one residential care service in Bateau Bay for three and a half years and in the last year she has visited Aged Care homes in Casino & Ballina. She came to Coffs Haven with her trainer Susan McLennan, the new Manager of Residential Care Services at Coffs Haven. 

With training reinforced daily, Freyja is very sensitive to work with rollators, wheelchairs and small spaces, and despite being a large dog she is very careful, gentle and nimble. 

Susan shared, “Freyja always gives 100% to her greetings and residents enjoy the fact that she is big enough for them to reach out and pat. 

“Being a rural area, many of our residents grew up with working dogs. She is white and fluffy so a nice tactile experience for them. I notice Freyja calms people. Twice this week there were a couple of people who were experiencing some emotional distress and Freyja went straight to them and two minutes later they were smiling.” 

On her twice weekly visits on a Tuesday and Friday, she spends all day at the site, taking several walks around the facility, or joining in outdoor visits, and even some meetings. So, after her big day ‘at work’ going slowly and gently all day, it’s no surprise that she unleashes all her energy by running on the beach or to the river, frolicking in the water. 

There’s no doubt that Freyja’s visits will become a highly anticipated fixture among the residents and staff at Coffs Haven.