DECEMBER 13, 2016 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Power of puppy love
(Dennis Manktelow)
Each week, therapy dog Monty visits the psychiatric ward at The Northern Hospital to brighten up patients’ day. As one of Delta Therapy Dogs’ pet therapists, Monty and owner Anna Lloyd travel from Lower Plenty each Wednesday to visit four units in the ward, where he interacts with staff and patients for about an hour. Ms Lloyd said Monty enjoys meeting new people and is always ready to comfort those needing some love. “He is very in tune with people. He always goes to the person he believes needs him the most,” she said. “He sits and waits until the person acknowledges him, and then he will talk to them.” Monty has been working as a pet therapist for about a year, after a friend recommended Ms Lloyd enrol him in Delta’s training program. He has worked in an aged care home at Viewbank as well as the oncology ward at the hospital. Ms Lloyd said Monty has thrived since becoming a therapy dog and loves interacting with people. “He definitely loves the hospital setting. When he works, he wears a bandana and an ID badge,” she said. “His job is for people to pat him and, as soon as we walks through the door of the hospital, people come over and want to pat him.” Laura Michell
Grassfire risk worsens Whittlesea and Hume residents are being warned about the risk of grassfires this summer, as Victoria’s wet spring fuels rampant growth on the city fringes. Emergency Management Victoria, the CFA and MFB launched their summer fire campaign for urban interface areas on Sunday, urging people to plan and prepare for a hot and dry summer with significant risk of fires. A revised seasonal outlook released by the
Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre earlier this month predicts an above average fire season, listing the areas between Melbourne and Echuca as those most at risk. Emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley said grassfires will be the “biggest risks and challenges” of this season, particularly in outer city suburbs. “There has been prolific grass growth right across the state and, when it dries out, it will become available fuel, ready to burn,” he said. “People need to prepare their properties now,
plan and make the critical decisions early on, so they know what they need to do if there is an emergency. There should be no grey areas when it comes to fire.” Epping CFA captain Rob Saitta said it is important people are not complacent, reminding them of the real risk of grassfires in urban areas. Last December, the Hume Freeway was closed for several hours, and sheds and farming equipment were destroyed, by a fire along the highway.
“Don’t be complacent about the wet weather … it will turn quickly. We are expecting the season to start later and finish later this year,” Mr Saitta said. “If you are in the urban area and there is a fire, move a couple of streets back and don’t block the roads for emergency services.” CFA chief officer Steve Warrington said it is important all household members know what to do if a fire starts nearby, and have a plan. “Always monitor the conditions on hot, dry, windy days,” he said. Details: emergency.vic.gov.au
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By Laura Michell