Children’s Hospital Foundation has relaunched one of its most loved programs, bringing back the joy and comfort of support dogs to Queensland Children’s Hospital patients under a fresh new name: Paw Play.
A new leash on healing
Paw Play is Australia’s only in-hospital run program of this nature and is directly managed by Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Each week, accredited dogs and their volunteer handlers will make bedside visits across Queensland Children’s Hospital, offering moments of connection, distraction and calm to children facing some of the toughest battles of their lives.
To kick off the program’s revival, the Foundation hosted a series of puppy challenges at the hospital, including a cuddle test, treat run and sit/stay challenge.
“Hospital can be a frightening and isolating place for children and families,” said Nick Van Dyke, Director of Impact at the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“Through Paw Play, we’re helping make hospital feel more like home. These dogs bring joy to the wards, reduce stress for kids and parents, and provide a sense of comfort that clinical care alone can’t always deliver.”
The relaunch follows strong demand from families and staff at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, after the COVID-19 pandemic saw the previous outsourced program paused.
By moving to an in-house model, Paw Play can now be delivered more sustainably, with a regular roster of volunteer dogs and handlers overseen directly by the Foundation.
The impact of therapy dogs
The decision to include man’s best friend as part of children’s medical treatment was not determined solely on its cute factor.
With strong, evidence-based support, global research highlights the benefits of animal-assisted programs in children’s hospitals.
Studies throughout Italy and Australia saw trial patients experience a range of benefits through animal assisted programs, including:
- Reducing anxiety and stress in children and families.
- Lowering blood pressure and heart rate.
- Boosting mood and social connection, creating moments of joy and normalcy.
- Easing pain and supporting recovery, with comfort that distracts from procedures and treatments.
A 2025 US clinical trial also found children who spent just 10 minutes with a support dog in an emergency department experienced nearly double the reduction in anxiety compared to those without.
Almost half saw a significant drop in stress levels, helping them cope better with treatment.
Expanding the paw print
Phase one of the Foundation’s Paw Play program will prioritise inpatient bedside visits, with plans to expand to support staff wellbeing, outpatient clinics, and potentially community sites in future years.
“Paw Play is about more than a wagging tail,” Mr Van Dyke said. “It’s about enhancing the overall hospital experience for children, empowering staff to deliver care in less stressful circumstances, and reminding families they are not alone on this journey.”
With continued dedication to initiatives like Paw Play, the Foundation ensures that hospital is not just places of treatment, but also of warmth and encouragement.
You can find out more about our Paw Play volunteer opportunities here.
The difference that shapes their world
Through supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation, you can improve childhoods and ensure all children and young people have access to treatment - sooner.
