A special dog’s tale

An interview with Olive and Hospice Volunteer Kirsty Powers, written by Mary Ryder, Family Support Practitioner

Olive is a very special dog, she is a trained and certificated therapy dog.

The children read to Olive, throw balls and take her for walks. Both Kirsty and the staff have been moved and amazed to watch non-verbal and very physically challenged children reach out to Olive. She now has a new role assisting physiotherapist Belinda as she positions children for treatments, encouraging them to reach out and exercise and making the time more fun.

Road to Respite

Written by Peggy Hogan, Family Support Practitioner 

The Road to Respite transport vehicle is a new and very unique home-hospice driving service that has received nothing but praise from families who have used it since it was launched earlier this year.

The van is supplied through a partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and driven by a member of their staff. From home pick-up until arrival to the Very Special Kids Hospice in Malvern, the child is also looked after by a Very Special Kids Hospice staff member.

IKEA gives special makeover

Very Special Kids was recently awarded a $12,000 makeover grant in the latest round of IKEA’s Living Local Community Grants. We were very excited to launch the new and improved counselling room on Tuesday 31 July, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Families will now have the opportunity to express feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears with their Family Support Practitioner in a safe, functional and heart-warming space at Very Special Kids.

Very Special Kids is exceptionally grateful for everyone who voted and contributed to them receiving the grant, as well as the amount of effort put in by all of the IKEA staff and volunteers involved.

Not only were they all a delight to have in the Malvern office, but the thoughtfulness and attention to detail they displayed completely exceeded expectations. Very Special Kids looks forward to working with IKEA more in the future.

Upcoming Events 

Bendigo/Hume Family Day 
​Mooroopna, Sun 12 Aug

Bereaved Parent Weekend
Fri 14 Sep to Sun 16 Sep

Lord Somers Camp 
Fri 5 Oct to Sun 7 Oct

Barefoot Bowls for Bereaved Parents
Mooroopna, Fri 12 Oct

Peninsula Family Day
Sat 13 Oct

Remembrance Day
Very Special Kids, Malvern
Sun 21 Oct

Creating Memories
Very Special Kids, Malvern
Thu 25 Oct, 10am to 2pm

Coffee mornings

Want to know the dates and details of Metro Coffee Mornings for 2018? Download the flyer below.