We were absolutely thrilled to welcome some of the beautiful therapy dogs from Doggie Dates to visit Mingara recently. These incredible dogs, alongside their dedicated volunteer handlers, give their time to support mental health and encourage meaningful social connection – making a difference one visit, one walk, and one cuddle at a time. Their presence brought plenty of smiles to our members and the team, with a special thanks to the adorable Lucy, Lily, Bindy, Shelly and Beau for brightening everyone’s day.
Doggie Dates Pet Therapy is a Central Coast and Newcastle-based charity that delivers impactful pet therapy programs across the region. Their friendly, trained team of canines, accompanied by certified handlers, visit hospitals, aged-care centres, schools, and workplaces to promote emotional wellbeing, reduce anxiety, and strengthen community connection. These visits offer both emotional and cognitive benefits that create a safe and uplifting experience for everyone involved.
Thanks to local grants like ours, Doggie Dates are able to provide free one-off visits to schools, daycares, and refuges – while ongoing monthly visits can be arranged if preferred. In addition to their therapy work, The Doggie Dates Collective runs regular, inclusive, volunteer-led dog walks designed to bring people together, fostering connection and community spirit.
We’re proud to support this incredible organisation through our recent ClubGRANTS round with a total of $10,000. This funding will help Doggie Dates continue its vital work by providing therapy visits for vulnerable groups, as well as covering essential costs such as training, equipment, insurance, and administration fees. This support ensures that safe, high-quality pet therapy services can continue to reach those who need them most, both within our local community and beyond.