Melbourne Central Dog Teams

Fiona, 'Murphy' and 'Nelly'

Fiona, 'Murphy' and 'Nelly' help children at Glenferrie Primary School

About: Fiona works in admin at Lauriston Girls School in Armadale. She loves sport

Dog Sponsor: Generously funded through a gift from Niamh

Dog breed:  Golden retriever

How we met:   I have had dogs all my life

Great loves:  'Murphy' soft toys and balls; 'Nelly' lots of cuddles

Favourite foods:  'Murphy' Schmackos; 'Nelly' a sneaky twistie or pizza crust

Quirks:   'Murphy' likes to roll over whilst walking in the park and protest at leaving; 'Nelly' loves to chat, talks when it's breakfast and dinner time, time for a walk or just when she wants a cuddle

Elisa and 'Mack' help children at McKinnon Primary School

About:  Currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), Lifeline Telephone Crisis Support Worker, mother of 3 children
Sponsor:  Story Dogs is looking for a sponsor
Dog breed:  Great Dane
How we met:  We bought 'Mack' from a breeder when he was 9 weeks old
Great loves:  Playing with children, eating chicken, cuddles on the lounge, long walks
Favourite foods:  Chicken

Doesn't Like:  People laying on his back or his family leaving without him
Quirks:  Loves to sleep on his back, thinks he is a small dog and can sit on your lap

John, Rosie and 'Mori'

John, Rosie and 'Mori' help children at Elwood Primary School

About:  John is retired and enjoys meditation. Rosie is a retired Social Worker
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Elwood Primary School
Dog breed:  Briard
How we met:  Purchased as a puppy
Great loves:  People, children and tug toys
Favourite foods:  Liver treats
Doesn’t like:  Being separated from his owners and being left outside  

Willem and 'Honey' help children at Elwood Primary School

About: Willem is a Cellist and Orchestra Conductor and also enjoys Italian motorcycles 
Sponsor:  Generously funded by the Festival of Fi Fi
Dog breed:  Japanese Spitz
How we met:  Internet
Great loves:  Cuddles
Favourite foods:  Lamb and pork bones
Doesn’t like:  Sudden loud noises

Janet and 'Winston' help children at Brighton Primary School

About:  Janet is a retired GP
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Rotary Club of Brighton North
Dog breed:  Golden Retriever
How we met:  Family pet
Great loves:  Going for walks, being with family and friends

Favourite Food:  Most things

Doesn't Like: Thunder
Quirks:  He is a Golden retriever who doesn't retrieve

Vivienne and 'Jaxon' help children at  Elsternwick  Primary School

About:  Vivienne is a Professional Volunteer, she enjoys yoga, travel, learning languages and family
Sponsor:  Ripponlea Veterinary Hospital
Dog breed:  Labradoodle
How we met: 'Jaxon' is my son's dog
Great loves:  Squeaky balls, goat horns and our socks, shoes etc

Favourite Food: Everything

Doesn't Like: Loud noises and being left alone

Quirks:  Doesn't like when a suitcase comes out

Jyl and 'Sonny' help children at Elsternwick Primary School

About:  Jyl is a retired Computer Analyst, Project Manager
Sponsor:  Belle Property Caulfield
Dog breed:  Cavoodle
How we met:  Bought for my husband when he was suffering from MND and I inherited him
Great loves:  Socks, treats, sleeping next to me in bed

Favourite Food:  Chicken

Doesn't Like:  Large barking dogs

Quirks:  Very protective ex Therapy Dog, loves people more than dogs

Lisa and 'Maurie' help children at McKinnon Primary School

About:  Lisa is retired, she loves singing, music and socialising with family and friends
Sponsor:  Slater & Levin
Dog breed:  Mini Schnauzer
How we met: Lost our previous schnauzer before Covid and we definitely needed another
Great loves:  Food, playing with his balls with another toy in his mouth

Favourite Food: Anything

Doesn't Like: Being left alone too long; cats

Quirks:  Howls at sirens; steals objects around the house

Barbara and 'Bonnie' help children at Brighton Primary School

About: Barbara is retired
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Brighton Primary School
Dog breed:  Labrador
How we met:  Since a puppy
Great loves:  Ball, park and the beach

Bernadette and 'Ralphie' help children at St Finbar's Primary School, East Brighton

About: Bernadette is a Wellbeing Manager at St Kilda FC, Educator and Yoga Teacher
Sponsor:  Middle Brighton Veterinary Centre
Dog breed:  Labrador
How we met:  Twin brother and myself gained brothers as puppies
Great loves:  People, activity, being out in the community and soft toys
Favourite foods:  Meat, sardines, chicken necks
Doesn’t like:  Nothing
Quirks:  Loves doing tricks and playing on playground equipment

Ann-Maree and 'Ralphie' help children at Elwood Primary School

About:  Ann-Maree is a very involved grandparent and avid reader
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from CWA of Victoria Umina Branch
Dog breed:  Cavoodle
How we met: Love of dogs and cats, great companions
Great loves:  Everything

Favourite Food: Cheese and chicken

Doesn't Like: Baths

Quirks:  Tail wags like a helicopter blade

Dionne and 'Bella' help children at St Finbar's Primary School

About:  Dionne works at IBM as an Executive Partner.  She loves beach walks and coffees
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Geoff
Dog breed:  Labrador
How we met:  Wait-listed at breeder for 2 years. Family has had Labs over many years
Great loves:  Beach walks, park, plays and food
Favourite foods:  Anything
Doesn’t like: Very loud noises; surprising her 

Tanya and 'Kirby' will help children at Coatesville Primary School

About:  Tanya works in the accounts department of a busy law firm. She has two beautiful children and loves spending time with family and friends
Sponsor:  Story Dogs is looking for a sponsor
Dog breed:  Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
How we met:  Tanya decided that due to lockdown, a pet was needed to bring some joy into their family life. It worked!
Great loves:  Chasing bees and butterflies, belly rubs and long walks
Favourite foods:  Butterflies, bees, sticks, socks and chicken

Doesn't Like: Kibble!

Quirks: Kirby won't eat food out of a bowl

Petra and 'Boris' help children at Brighton Primary School

About:  Petra is an International Project Manager, originally from The Netherlands. Has lived in Melbourne since 2009
Sponsor:  Middle Brighton Veterinary Centre
Dog breed:  Cavoodle
How we met:  We got 'Boris' as a puppy and fell in love with him straight away 
Great loves:  Chasing balls and relaxing in the garden
Favourite foods:  Dry food and carrots
Doesn’t like:  Yelling at him; his little sister {sometimes} who likes to play the whole day

Penny and 'Lotti' help children in Melbourne Central area

About:  Penny is a writer and animator
Sponsor:  Bayford Volkswagen Camberwell
Dog breed:  Beaglier
How we met: 'Lotti' is our younger dog who we bought to keep our older dog company
Great loves:  Walking, swimming and eating

Favourite Food: Everything

Doesn't Like:  Dalmation dogs

Quirks:  Barks at Dalmation dogs and other black and white spotted dogs

Kerrie and 'Brenda' help children at Elsternwick Primary School

About:   Kerrie was a primary school teacher, her great loves are books, dogs and children
Sponsor: Story Dogs is looking for a sponsor

Dog breed: Pug

Great loves: Food, me and walking

Favourite Food:  Everything especially cheese

Quirks:  One eye, female that cocks her leg