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

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

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

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

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 

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

Tanya and 'Kirby'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:  Generously funded by the Harold Mitchell Foundation
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:  Generously funded through a gift from Vicky T
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 at Glenferrie Primary School

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