From a dedicated seniors companion to a brave SES rescuer, six WA dogs are in the running to be named top office dog and top dog with a job.
With nominations now closed for the people2people Recruitment’s 2024 OZ Top Dog Awards, 20 finalists have been selected from almost 300 entries nationwide for both categories.
The highly anticipated competition—in its fourth year— honours our furry friends who play an important role in reducing stress, enhancing workplace wellbeing and boosting mental health during the work day.
People2people’s recent Dogs at Work Survey discovered that 90 per cent of pet owners would rather work for a pet-friendly office, while 75 per cent of workplaces’ employee turnover improved since they became pet-friendly.
Meet Stanley, a cuddly two-year-old cavoodle from Mandurah, hoping to win top office dog for his dedication to making the office at DFG Legal a brighter place.
Owners Damian and Chris Gordon certainly spoil him, letting him eat blue cheese and pate in their high-rise apartment.
He visits the law firm when he “graciously finds the time to fit us into his busy schedule somewhere between sunbathing on a rocking chair on the balcony and sleeping on a thousand-count Egyptian cotton sheet in a human bed.”
The five finalists hoping to win top dog with a job are located around the State and have been nominated for their special work in therapy and emergency service.
Staffordshire bull terrier Clifford is an SES search dog from Tapping.
Born with a cleft lip and palate, Cliff has successfully helped find missing people in some of the State’s wild terrain and is more than satisfied with receiving a squeaky ball for payment.
Shetland sheepdogs Spirit and Prince from Rockingham work as therapy dogs at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where they have visited sick patients in the rehab unit since 2020.
With many patients in the hospital for six or more months and missing their pets at home, getting a tail wag from this pair can make a huge difference in their week.
Border collie cross kelpie Cassius is a seniors companion from Wongan Hills in the Wheabelt.
Accidentally becoming a mascot of the Wongan-Ballidu Seniors Club six months ago, members love having him be a part of the group and can’t help but smile when he greets them.
Last but not least is Swiss shepherd Koji, an assistance dog for mobility from Mandurah.
Koji helps his owner deal with a painful back injury after he was trained as a personal service dog.
“He doesn’t just bring my shoes or let me lean on him when I can’t walk suddenly. With his big personality, his ridiculous ways and his talkative antics he has helped me laugh again and re-join the world in a way I never thought possible,” his owner said.
“Because of him I can now help train other dogs to become the best versions of themselves. Koji helps me rehabilitate reactive dogs that others have given up on, to accept a dog’s presence and learn to play again.”
Public voting is now open until 9am on August 30 for the People’s Choice Award at oztopdog.com.au
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on August 30 at 12.30pm AEST, livestreamed across LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.