Village pooch Maggie provides pet therapy for fellow residents

4:05

Moving into William Sanders Village provided Graham and Karrin Byrnes with the perfect chance to give back to a community that was right on their doorstep, with beloved pet Maggie being the key to their success.

The couple heard about the St John therapy pets programme not long after moving into Ryman Healthcare’s Devonport village in 2021, and now take Maggie to visit residents in the village care centre three times a week.

Says Graham: “We find it very rewarding. It’s good for the residents and it’s good for us.”

The idea was sparked after reading an article about the programme, which is just one of many services St John provides, along with First Aid training and kits, medical alarms and AEDs (defibrillators), a range of community programmes, and of course the ambulance service.

With the pet visits cited for their benefits to emotional wellbeing, the couple immediately thought Maggie, their nine-year-old poodle crossed with a King Charles Cavalier, would be ‘perfect’ for the job.

“Maggie has always loved people so we thought we should try this,” says Karrin.

They attended a training course and Maggie was assessed to check she was the right character.

Maggie has now been bringing happiness and comfort to residents needing hospital, rest home and dementia care for four years.

Graham and Karrin pictured with Maggie the dog in their apartment at William Sanders Village as the trio don their uniforms for pet therapy visits.

Once Graham and Karrin don their St John shirts, and Maggie is fitted with her special purple harness and St John necktie, she knows she’s off to work.

“When we visit residents in the hospital who are very unwell, she will jump up on the bed and lay down next to them. It just gets you right here,” says Graham, as he taps his chest.

“The hard thing is leaving because they often want her to stay.”

One of Maggie’s regular visits is to rest home resident Fleur Lindsay, who is a dog lover.

“I just enjoy the company, she’s friendly and takes notice of me and she just seems to know what we’re going to say,” says Fleur.

“She provides comfort and security. She’s lovely!”

Fellow resident Madeline Dennison, pictured above with Maggie, also feels emotionally buoyed by the pet therapy visits, having been widowed in recent years.

“It’s something you can love, and dogs will love you back,” she says. “It’s a comfort.”

Madeline adds that she loves the connection she feels by looking into Maggie’s soulful eyes. “And she looks back deeply into my eyes.”

Maggie loves the attention she gets from residents and the feeling is definitely mutual!

Retired insurance underwriter Graham and former pharmacy manager Karrin believe volunteering in the community is vital work.

“I volunteered as a teacher aide for seven years. It’s good to give back,” Karrin says.

Adds Graham: “It’s doing something for other people rather than just thinking me, me, me. And to me, that’s really important.”

Maggie doesn’t just bring joy to residents in the care centre either. She has also helped Graham and Karrin settle into village life too.

Says Karrin: “Graham likes to come and sit here in the lounge with Maggie. She’s a real focal point and people often stop and have a little chat.”

“The people in here are very interesting to talk to, they’re bloody nice!” adds Graham.

William Sanders Village Manager Fiona Colbert says Maggie’s visits enrich the lives of residents in the care centre.

“We are so grateful to Graham and Karrin for sharing beautiful Maggie the dog with our residents.

“Therapy pets are known to reduce stress, bring comfort and put a smile on people’s faces, and I have seen for myself the joy that Maggie brings when she visits.”

St John’s Maggie says the organisation is ‘deeply thankful’ to the Byrnes for their volunteering efforts.

“Their regular visits to the care centre bring comfort, joy, and companionship to residents, and Maggie’s gentle presence has made a lasting impact.”

by Maryvonne Gray | Jun 19, 2025