Every Wednesday, a Cavoodle named Spotty Dotty makes her way through the wards at Mater Hospital Springfield, offering comfort to patients, families, and staff with a wagging tail and a gentle nature. Whether she is curling up on a patient’s lap or stopping for a pat in the hallway, the seven-year-old therapy dog has become a familiar part of the hospital’s weekly routine.
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Spotty Dotty is the first dedicated pet therapy volunteer based at Mater Hospital Springfield. Accompanied by her volunteer handler, she visits patients across the hospital, providing moments of calm and companionship during what can often be a challenging time.
For patients spending extended periods in hospital, those visits can provide a welcome break in the day. Julie Blackburn, who had been in hospital for two weeks during her latest stay, said Spotty Dotty’s visit was an unexpected highlight that lifted her spirits. She described the affectionate Cavoodle as a lovely surprise and said the cuddles helped change the atmosphere almost instantly.
Therapy dogs provide companionship through calm, in-person interactions. A gentle presence and a few minutes of shared time can help provide comfort for patients during their hospital stay.
Growing Volunteer Program
Spotty Dotty is one of only a handful of therapy dogs visiting Mater hospitals, and Springfield is looking to expand the program by recruiting more volunteers.
Kat Cunningham has volunteered with Mater for many years and, over the past 12 months, has been joined by her three-year-old red and white Border Collie, Hunter. A familiar visitor at Mater’s South Brisbane health campus, Hunter has also recently started making visits to Springfield.
Cunningham said seeing Hunter comfort patients and hearing that the visits had brightened someone’s day reaffirmed why she volunteers. She said therapy dogs offer reassurance simply by being present, creating moments of calm without needing to understand what a patient is experiencing.
The pet therapy program forms part of a much larger volunteer network across Mater hospitals. More than 650 volunteers support patients and families in a variety of ways, from cuddling newborn babies and providing foot massages to escorting visitors and offering companionship throughout hospital stays.
Mater Hospital Springfield Volunteer Coordinator Russell Williams said volunteers played an important role in helping patients and families feel supported during their time in hospital. He said even simple acts of care and reassurance could make a meaningful difference, particularly for people going through difficult circumstances.
The hospital is currently seeking more volunteers, particularly to assist in the Emergency Department by supporting triage and spending time with patients and their families. It is also looking for more pet therapy volunteers to accompany dogs like Spotty Dotty.
Volunteer shifts are available Monday to Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m, with most volunteers committing to a regular weekly shift of two to four hours. All volunteers receive onboarding and training before starting.
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Every Wednesday, Spotty Dotty’s visits bring quiet moments of comfort and companionship to patients, families and staff, while highlighting the valuable role volunteers play in supporting the Springfield hospital community.
Published 4-August-2026
