The residents of Bracken House in Dubbo have welcomed with open arms the facility’s newest and youngest staff member, Tidda the corgi.

Over the next two years, three-month-old Tidda will be trained as a therapy animal to support the aged care residents by helping to reduce loneliness, increase happiness, and to improve mood.

She will also be a gentle reminder of the homes, pets and lifestyles the residents have left.

“Ninety-nine per cent of country folk have been raised with animals and miss them when they enter care,” said Regional Manager Elaine Baillie.

“As soon as people see [Tidda], they smile. In her first week here, she initiated conversations among the residents about the pets they’d had to leave,” said Facility Manager Jodie Nelson, 

Tidda began accompanying Ms Nelson to work at Bracken House at just a few weeks of age and quickly settled into a “work” routine spending time with many of the residents and staff. 

Corgis were originally bred to be herding dogs and are by nature rather energetic and playful. The residents love watching Tidda race about the common areas and engage in play with them. She is often picked up and carried, although this is likely to cease as she grows and gets heavier. She also enjoys sleeping, Ms Nelson said. Visiting and playing with residents is hard work!

Tidda is a Pembroke Welsh corgi, the same breed favoured and made famous by British royalty. The late Queen Elizabeth II reportedly owned about 30 corgis during her 70-year reign.

“Her name is a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘sister’,” Ms Nelson said. 

It’s also a subtle nod to the residents, as women make up a large percentage of those residing at the 74-bed facility.

Robyn Roberts is one of Tidda’s biggest fans: “I couldn’t bring my dog here. I had to leave him with my son,” she said, giving Tidda a cuddle.

Norah Prinner also loves little Tidda: “She cheers us all up.”

Tidda isn’t the first therapy pet to cheer up the Bracken House residents.

“We have had therapy pets here before. Troppo was a kelpie who left us when his owner, a staff member, left about three years ago. We’ve also had a couple of cats,” Ms Nelson said. One cat was relocated not long ago due to a resident’s allergy.

Ms Nelson said the residents voted to get a new therapy animal at a meeting, and contact with Tidda is voluntary.

“People can choose not to have contact with the dog. A few have said no. Tidda will work it out,” Ms Nelson said.

Over the next two years, Tidda will undergo rigorous instruction including obedience training. Dubbo Photo News will check back with Bracken House and see how she’s doing down the track. 

Well done, Tidda!