Redland Hospital has welcomed a very special new recruit, Moose, a beautiful young golden retriever with a serious job.
Allied Health Clinician Gemma Ray said Moose is part of a new program bringing animal-assisted therapy to Addiction and Mental Health Services.
Backed by international evidence, the approach uses the human-animal bond to help people build trust and reduce anxiety.
“For many of our patients, it can be hard to open up to another person when they’ve been through trauma or feel unsafe,” Gemma said.
“Animals don’t judge. With Moose, people feel calmer, more willing to share, and more likely to stay engaged in therapy.
"That secure bond can then transfer to their relationship with a therapist, creating lasting change.”
Behind his wagging tail, Moose and Gemma has put in months of training. From learning how to stay close to anxious patients, to playful games that help children build confidence, Moose’s training follows strict Therapy Dogs Australia standards, including temperament and clinical assessments.
“It’s not about perfection, sometimes Moose is cheeky and things don’t go to plan, it helps normalise mistakes and shows patients that learning is part of the process,” Gemma said.
Moose’s arrival was also made possible by some important behind-the-scenes work. With support from her colleagues, Gemma helped write Metro South Health’s new guidelines for therapy dogs, to make sure animal-assisted therapy can be offered safely and consistently.
With his gentle nature and comforting embrace, Moose is helping patients toward recovery, one cuddle at a time. Addiction and Mental Health Services mark Queensland Mental Health Week this week from 4 - 12 October 2025, learn more online.