She’s the newest recruit to AnglicareSA’s Youth Services team and she’s more than happy to be paid in belly rubs, a game of fetch, or a handful of treats.
Spoon is the Golden Retriever puppy of Leaving Care Supervisor Rinske van der Pol and she is set to play an important role in the lives of young people connected to our independent living program for young people 16-18 transitioning out of the care system.
“One of the things we really notice is they have often been coming from residential care, where there is staff around the clock and always someone to talk to, interact with, and listen to all of their stories,” Rinske said.
“Then suddenly they are living independently, and they can experience feelings of loneliness, isolation, or like they don’t have a community or connection to other people or animals.
“Many of them would like to have their own pets, however they can struggle to care for them because they’ve never really had the opportunity to learn how to do that. It can also affect their housing opportunities as many housing providers don’t necessarily want pets in their place.”
This is where Spoon playfully bounds into the picture.
Spoon goes to work every day with Rinske at a house in the south-western suburbs that is part office and part housing unit. Young people visit here for additional one-on-one support.
“Working with teenagers, we know that even though they would significantly benefit from our support, they don’t always want that interaction,” Rinske said.
“Sometimes it can be hard to engage with them, so Spoon can enhance our support by motivating them to leave the house and doing things that help their mental health.
“It also provides a pet connection, they still have a pet that they can see, cuddle, and can care for. Interactions with a dog can help to learn what it actually means to care for a pet, because it’s much more work than it looks on paper.”
Spoon’s introduction the Youth Services team follows a trial with a previous dog Sunny, a greyhound who has now found his forever family.
Having a dog being able to learn how to interact with people and being comfortable in varying situations played an important part in moving forward from the trial.
“We looked into what type of dog would really suit the program and came to Golden Retrievers because they are just so smart and love people,” she said.
“But they are also eager to please and can learn to do tricks and also be more of a therapy dog.”
It won’t just be within the office spaces of Rinske and her team that Spoon will have an impact on the lives of young people. When she’s a bit older she will be taken out on visits to meet with the young people supported by the program in their homes.
“If young people are interested, they can take her for a walk, or if they’ve had a really hard day, they can just emotionally regulate by petting Spoon and calming down,” she said.
“We’ll also be taking Spoon to relevant events like expos where she will be there for young people to interact with and make them feel more comfortable.”
Manager, Leaving and Post Care Services, Jenna Masi, said Spoon represented a dream come true for the Youth Services team and the broader vision for the program.
“I am immensely grateful to Rinske for her generosity in sharing Spoon’s love and joy with so many,” Jenna said.
“The profound impact of Spoon’s presence and her unconditional nature will not only uplift the wellbeing of the young people in our program but will also enrich our staff, creating a unique opportunity for lasting, treasured memories.”
“Bringing Spoon into our program symbolises the incorporation of animal-assisted interventions, which we know can have profound therapeutic benefits.
“Dogs naturally evoke joy and comfort, serving as a source of unconditional love and acceptance, which can enhance emotional wellbeing.
“Integrating Spoon into the program not only enhances the experience for young people but also reinforces a sense of community and connection, which we know are critical elements in effective transition from care planning.”