'WE'RE CHANGING LIVES... ONE CUDDLE AT A TIME!'

How this Wānaka woman and her pack of pups are making a difference down south

- Morgan Reardon

They say dogs are man's best friend and no one believes that more than Janine Taylor. The Central Otago library assistant has dedicated the past 15 years of her life to helping those in need, including the elderly and terminally ill, with a canine pal by her side.

It was a serendipitous moment back in 2007 when Janine, 58, first learnt about Outreach Therapy Pets, a community programme run by St John New Zealand, which sees volunteers and their dogs visit care homes, hospices and schools to bring light and joy to people doing it tough.

While volunteering for the SPCA and attending their “Mutley Dog Show" in Kerikeri, Janine stumbled upon a Therapy Pets stall. Blown away by their incredible work, she and her black Labrador Cruise joined the charity to deliver smiles, tail wags and slobbery kisses to Bay of Islands residents.

One of the most remarkable moments for Janine took place when visiting a local Kerikeri school as part of Therapy Pet's “Reading to Dogs" programme.

She recalls, “Teachers would identify a child who was having literacy issues, and we would sit with them and ask them to read out loud to the dog. It became so successful, we expanded it to children with behavioural issues or those having a tough time at home. We found the dogs had a calming effect on them."

And it proved to be a life-changing experience for one little boy.