When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog began a new life – bringing love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents.

After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog.

Therapy dogs help to reduce anxiety and stress and provide companionship for residents.

Stanley brings much joy and pleasure into the lives of the residents including going for outside walks with them and their visiting family members.

“Residents always come back with a smile on their face and say it was like taking their own dog for a walk,” Julianne says.

“The conversations they have are marvellous and very stimulating, reminiscing about their own animals.”

Julianne says residents and staff have found little Stanley, who is three years old, to be “very smart and intelligent.”

“Our residents get so much pleasure just seeing him. Everyone who sees him immediately falls in love with him.”