Hear how dogs support mental health

A PASSIONATE dog lover and qualified dog trainer will speak in Portarlington later this month to share how the animals’ can support mental health.

Melanie Scott devotes her skill and time volunteering to train dogs to provide special support for first responders such as fire, police, ambulance, 000 dispatch and military, particularly those suffering with mental illness.

Melanie is an ex-police officer who is herself living with post traumatic stress disorder.

She and her devoted dog Paddington will give the talk “Hear How Dogs Support Mental Health” at Neighbourhood House, 28 Brown Street in Portarlington on Saturday July 28 11.30am to 1pm.

A light lunch will be held after the talk and donations are welcome.

This talk is jointly hosted by Woofers and Walkers (Responsible Dog Owners’ Group) Portarlington together with the Walk for Wellbeing, an event organised to help raise greater awareness about mental health.

Victoria Mental Health Month runs from October 7 to November 6 and aims to activate, engage, and educate Victorians about mental health.

The Walk for Wellbeing Event 2018 will be held on October 7 at 11am along the foreshore Portarlington to launch Mental Health Month and to celebrate good health and wellbeing.

Organisers June Fraser and Julie Elterman hope you are able to join them for Melanie Scott’s talk and the Walk for Wellbeing team hope to see you later in the year on the Portarlington foreshore.