Wait a second ....aren’t dogs supposed to be awesome companions AS WELL as awesome therapy for those who suffer from loneliness/depression etc?

I bet these animals hold the key in addressing our country’s confronting depression and suicide stats.

If only there was some way of connecting dogs (sitting in pounds waiting to be adopted) with such people. Hmmm.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jun 21^st, 2023 at 10:25pm:


I know, a clothing size but clowns will be clowns.

I can’t believe I’m about to say this but the Monk id has FINALLY stated something worth reading and considering.

Which brings me to my question : WHO has commandeered Monk’s ID?

Someone like you Monk could well be useful in linking suitable pets with Australians who live alone.

I’m thinking this could be a part time volunteer thing of course (there’s no money around these days). Even then I think volunteers should not be taken for granted. They ought to be respected and regarded. Monthly morning tea/luncheons perhaps to link up with other volunteers and share tips/experiences.

I’m assuming there’s SOME service like this in the community anyway. If not then there bloody well should be.

Local Councils should be onto this. Surely someone has worked out that dogs sitting around in overcrowded pounds could well be allocated on a case by case basis to those who need companionship and/or therapy!

The only obstacle I can foresee in such an arrangement is the cost to keep an animal (esp given current high inflation and interest rates etc).

Even then surely some arrangement could be worked out. I’m thinking more along the lines of allocating the dog to someone in need within the community along with someone else who may be able to sponsor the dog and help pay for its upkeep ie not physically care for the dog but will get regular updates on the animal and care giver.

Does anyone know if this type of scheme is already in existence? I wouldn’t know ... hence my question.

The idea came to me last night when we were discussing depression/suicide in this topic and I started linking all that to Monk (our resident recluse) and his rescue dog (you gotta admit that unlike Monk ... that dog is gorgeous and has most definitely captured our hearts).

Anyway ....

As I pointed out to the troll, puppies in the pound likely have issues from physical abuse anyway and so would not be suitable for therapy dogs.

Frodo and Drunk

You obviously can’t keep up with me.

At some stage you might discover that not only have I left you both behind in this (as your pitiful feedback has already been addressed) ... I’m now looking at presenting a proposal (with a brand name) which may well be backed by a community grant.

Bye bye.

Drunk! Give it a rest! I’m not listening to you OR your  ridiculous generalisations. ALL abused dogs (like all abused human beings) cannot and should not be thrown into the 1 too hard basket of NO HOPE!

And I swear to God your mentality is damaged beyond repair! Think Monk...think! What does THERAPY mean?? It doesn’t JUST mean golden retriever or labrador or blind person. Therapy functions across various levels ffs! For some people the therapy required comes by uniting them with the right dog so as to provide them with unconditional love and companionship because they’ve lost their husband or wife!

As I’ve stated earlier (and I’ll re iterate it once more in clearer terms)...the emphasis of therapy which I’m looking at is essentially mental health therapy! It’s about addressing dogs sitting in overcrowded pounds AND tackling depression and suicide in the community. Esp at a time where people are distressed given the current difficult economic conditions.

I’m tired of repeating myself! All the bloody time! And whenever I look up from typing on OzPol all I see is you (and your clueless mate Frodo) lagging behind me in topics and helplessly struggling to keep up! Grab a strong coffee ffs! I hate slowing down for you all the time. i