Pawsitive Practice

20/05/2026

The best part of Tali’s job is getting to meet so many patients and staff around the hospital and sometimes we get lucky enough to have the ambos stop by for a cuddle too!

Last week, Tali met the lovely Chelsea while she was on her way to pick up a patient and take them home. After our family’s very first ambulance trip this week, we’re feeling especially grateful for the incredible work ambos do for our community. Thank you for showing up for people on some of their hardest days 🐾🚑

16/05/2026

Tali pup turned 5 on Friday 🐾🎉

She spent the week doing what she does best! Visiting staff and patients, soaking up ALL the attention, eating lots of birthday bones and eventually falling asleep in a chair 😂

Her birthday celebrations included muddy playtime with friends from around Mackay and finished with chips under the table 🍟

Happy birthday to our beautiful girl 🤍

06/05/2026

A photo speaks a thousand words, but a cuddle in the hardest moments speaks even louder 🐾 💜

25/04/2026

Lest we forget ❤️🐾
Honouring courage, sacrifice and service this Anzac Day 🇦🇺

16/04/2026

🎉 One year in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit 🎉

This week marks one year of visiting the Mental Health Inpatient Unit at Mackay Base Hospital 🤍

The environment can be complex and ever-changing, yet Tali has adapted with remarkable confidence, gentleness and her signature charm. Working in this environment has deepened our trust as a clinical therapy dog team and it’s become one of her favourite places to be. Every Wednesday she barrels in with a wagging tail, ready to offer exactly what she does best.

In a setting where communication can be challenging, she offers grounding, connection and comfort. It’s been a privilege to see the positive impact she has on patients and to work alongside such committed staff 🤍🐾

04/04/2026

Some bunny is ready for treats! 🐰

Hoppy Easter to you all from our Mackay Base Hospital therapy dogs Chili and Tali. 🐶

These furry sisters bring egg-stra special comfort and joy to our patients when they visit our wards. 🏥

They deliver wagging tails and unconditional love to patients, families and staff and their paws-itivity has a remarkable way of lifting spirits and cracking smiles on even the toughest days.

You can read about them and their handlers Claire and Paul here: https://www.mackay.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/chili-and-tali-offer-patients-taste-of-home-in-clinical-space

So ears to a wonderful Easter every bunny, from our adorable 'heeling' team! 🐣

02/04/2026

Happy Easter from your favourite Easter Bordercollies 🐰 🐾

Wishing everyone a weekend full of Easter bunny chocolate overloads and fun 🍫

27/03/2026

Welcome to the team Chili! 🌶️ 🐾

25/03/2026

25/03/2026

Tali & Chili’s TV debut 📺🐾

A big day for our girls! Thank you to 7NEWS Mackay for visiting Tali & Chili at work and helping share the incredible impact therapy dogs have on patients, families, and staff 💛

We’re so grateful to My Hospital Foundation for funding this beautiful initiative, allowing the program to grow and now reach five wards.

A special thank you to Lauren and the Eat Walk Engage team for everything they do for patients and for organising and coordinating these visits each week. The work you do in preventing delirium truly makes a difference and we are honoured to be a small part of this program at MBH ✨

Keep an eye out, you might just spot these paw-some pups on the wards 🥰