Some moments ask you to pause and really take them in.
Being named Australian Dog of the Year is one of those moments.
When Louie’s name was announced, it felt surreal, not because he suddenly became special, but because the quiet, relational work he has been doing for years was seen, named, and honoured on a national stage. This award, created by Puppy Tales Photography, celebrates dogs whose impact goes beyond companionship, and it’s deeply meaningful that Louie’s work supporting trauma survivors is part of that story.
To us, Louie has always been extraordinary. But this recognition feels like a collective nod to gentleness, connection, and the powerful role animals can play in healing.
How Louie Came Into Our Lives
Louie came into our family in late 2020, and while some might assume he was “just another Covid dog,” the truth is far more intentional. Earlier that year, before the pandemic hit, we lost our beloved Labrador, Sam, to cancer. Sam had supported me through so much of my life, and his loss left a deep ache. It didn’t feel right to rush into getting another dog.
As 2020 unfolded, Melbourne went into lockdown, and I found myself beginning a profound stage of my own healing journey. I was doing deep personal work and starting to speak publicly about my lived experience for the first time. When Louie arrived later that year, his timing felt less like a coincidence and more like quiet alignment.
Without any training, labels, or expectations, he became my therapy dog, simply by being himself.
The Challenges That Shaped Him
At around six months old, we noticed something wasn’t quite right with Louie’s walk. After investigations, we received news no dog parent wants to hear: Louie would need hip surgery on both sides. The surgery was intense, and recovery was long and confronting. At one point, there were real concerns that he may have permanently lost the use of his left leg.
Watching such a young dog in pain was heartbreaking. But Louie showed remarkable resilience. Through weeks of careful rehab and slow progress, he rebuilt strength and confidence. Today, he runs freely, enjoys long walks, and bursts into joyful zoomies with abandon, a living reminder that strength can be quiet and recovery isn’t always linear, but it is possible.
Louie on My Hardest Days
In 2021, as I began writing my memoir, Louie was rarely far from my side. Writing meant revisiting some of my hardest memories, the kind of work that sits deep in the body, not just the mind. On days when words felt heavy or emotions overwhelmed me, Louie would settle nearby, offering presence without expectation.
Dogs don’t ask you to explain yourself. They don’t need you to be “better.” Louie taught me, again and again, that regulation can come from simply being accompanied. He was, without question, the best dog on my hardest days.
When His Gift Became Visible to Others
As I began working more closely with trauma survivors through coaching, Louie’s presence naturally followed. The moment that changed everything came when a client asked if Louie could sit in on a session. Watching the way her body softened, her breath slowed, and her nervous system regulated was nothing short of magic.
That moment made something clear: this wasn’t just special, it was something that could support many more people if done safely and intentionally. I began researching therapy dog work and found Therapy Dogs Australia, who supported us through the training and accreditation process. Their guidance ensured Louie could do this work ethically, safely, and with care for both humans and dogs.
Louie’s Work in the Community
Today, Louie supports people across a range of settings. He’s a steady presence in our weekly breathwork classes, where members of the general public come to slow down, regulate, and reconnect. He joins community events, offering warmth and grounding wherever he goes.
One of the most meaningful parts of his work is with the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence, where he supports survivors of child sexual abuse. His calm presence creates a sense of safety that words sometimes cannot. Survivors often tell us how much it means to have him beside them, a living reminder that they are not alone.
For me, this work is deeply full circle. The Centre supported me twenty years ago during my own healing journey. To now volunteer alongside them with Louie by my side is something I never take for granted.
The Science Behind the Magic
While Louie’s impact feels intuitive, it’s also backed by science. Animal Assisted Therapy has been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase oxytocin, the hormone linked to trust, bonding, and safety. For trauma survivors, this physiological shift can be profound.
Louie’s training through Therapy Dogs Australia ensures his temperament, boundaries, and well-being are prioritised. What looks like “just being a good dog” is actually a carefully supported interaction that helps nervous systems settle, and people feel safe in their bodies again.
Australian Dog of the Year (Yes, Really)
Being named Australian Dog of the Year feels both joyful and symbolic. It’s recognition not just of Louie, but of trauma-informed, survivor-centred work that often happens quietly, away from the spotlight. It’s a celebration of the power of presence, and yes, it officially makes Louie Australian royalty. We’re still waiting on his crown.
We’re also incredibly grateful to Puppy Tales Photography, creators of this competition, for recognising dogs who change lives in ways that are sometimes unseen.
A Final Word (and a Wag)
Louie will never know he won an award, but he will happily accept extra pats, treats, and compliments. We believe all dogs are the best dogs, and we know so many of you have your own stories of four-legged companions doing incredible things.
So if you’ve got a dog who’s supported you, comforted you, or simply made your life better, tell them I said hi. And maybe give them an extra pat from Louie.
Because sometimes, healing really does come with four paws and a very good heart!
Congratulations Louie, I love you.
