By Alesha Capone
Penny definitely deserves a round of a-paws.
The former racing greyhound these days works as a therapy dog at the Sunshine Hospital Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit (SAAPU).
Penny also donates blood at the U-Vet Werribee Melbourne Animal Hospital.
She even has her own Instagram account – @misspennyblack.
Owner Mel Brown, said that she and her partner fell in love with Penny after they met her three years ago through the Greyhound Adoption Program, run by Greyhound Racing Victoria.
Ms Brown said that she and Penny began volunteering at the SAAPU about 18 months ago as part of a Delta Therapy Dogs program.
“I wanted to volunteer in my community,” she said.
“I’d heard about therapy dogs in the past and thought, ‘How great would it be to volunteer with my dog?’”
At the SAPPU, patients can pat Penny, talk to her and give her treats for performing tricks.
“I think there are some patients who connect with her more and some who you can see instantly calm down when they see her and pat her,” Ms Brown said.
She encouraged people to adopt greyhounds and said that myths about greyhounds – such as they could be aggressive and need lots of exercise – were misconceptions.
“Penny loves the park, loves getting out and about, and loves meeting new people, and she’s super-friendly,” she said.
Ms Brown said that she also wanted to raise awareness of both the U-Vet blood donation program and Delta Therapy Dogs.
See deltasociety.com.au and u-vet.com.au/services/blood-donation-programs for details.
