Best Friends at Work: Meet the Chef and Schnauzer Duo Redefining What It Means To Be Aged Care Colleagues
This Aged Care Employee (ACE) Day, Whiddon is proudly celebrating the joy of pets in the workplace, and the powerful impact of animal-led wellbeing in aged care.
4 August 2025
Sydney, NSW: 4th August 2025
Across Whiddon’s aged care homes some of the most valued team members don’t wear uniforms, they wear fur. That’s why this Aged Care Employee (ACE) Day (7 August), Whiddon is proud to not only celebrate their incredible team, but also the four-legged and feathered pet friends who stand beside them.
Leading this unique team is travelling relief chef Lloyd McLetchie and his miniature schnauzer Roy, Whiddon’s unofficial everywhere Chief Happiness Officer (CHO). At just under three years old, Roy has spent the past twelve months on the road with Lloyd, bringing joy and comfort to residents across Whiddon homes in rural New South Wales.
Timid at first but playful once he warms up, Roy is known for his signature handshakes, nose kisses, and love of sausages. More than just a companion, he’s a calming presence, a conversation starter, and, for many residents, the highlight of their day.
“Roy just lights people up,” said Lloyd. “He makes my job easier. The moment he walks in, people smile, they relax, it’s like he brings a bit of home with him.”
Lloyd and Roy’s story is at the heart of Whiddon’s new ‘Best Friends at Work’ campaign, a joyful tribute to the bonds between aged care employees and the animals who support them in homes, hallways and hearts across the organisation.
The campaign highlights the heart and impact of Whiddon’s broader Creature Comforts program. As Whiddon’s dedicated animal wellbeing initiative, Creature Comforts has been thoughtfully co-designed with residents and families and brings a variety of animals into homes. The program introduces a variety of pets tailored to each community’s preferences, from therapy dogs and cats to chickens and aviary birds, recognising the profound positive impact animals have in aged care settings.
Research shows that regular interaction with animals offers therapeutic benefits for people of all ages. In aged care, pets help reduce stress, encourage incidental movement, and foster social connections by sparking conversations and breaking down barriers.
“Whether they’re collecting fresh eggs from our chicken coops or cuddling up next to a resident during morning tea, these animals are more than visitors, they’re part of the team,” said Whiddon Chief Experience Officer, Michael Monteleone.
Importantly, programs like Creature Comforts provide more than companionship, they act as a vital stress buffer, helping residents build coping skills, boost a sense of purpose, and enjoy the joy of nurturing as well as being nurtured. Tangible benefits for residents include reduced anxiety and depression, increased resilience, and an overall happier, more engaged community.
Michael continues, “Creature Comforts is a testament to how powerful small interactions can be. These moments restore a sense of home, routine, and warmth, and that has a lasting impact on wellbeing.”
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At the heart of the program are Whiddon’s beloved Chief Happiness Officers (CHOs), pets who’ve earned their titles through daily acts of joy, comfort and connection.
George, a Keeshond from Whiddon Easton Park, has been a valued volunteer for over three years, beginning his career at just eight weeks old when he attended his first Community Care Conference. Known for his affectionate but cheeky nature, playful tricks, and distinctive woolly coat, George consistently brings comfort and joy to residents.
Angus, a ten-year-old Labrador from Whiddon Beaudesert, enjoys a farm life alongside cows and poultry when he’s not on the clock as a CHO. He joined Whiddon when he was unable to serve as a seeing-eye dog due to his separation anxiety, finding an ideal role in aged care, where he is cherished and spoilt by residents, so much so that he needs to diet constantly.
Wendy, an eight-year-old tortoiseshell cat from Whiddon Temora, has become a beloved and permanent fixture for residents. She visited the home frequently when her paw-rents lived nearby, and when they moved closer to town, she repeatedly returned and thus her own role as a full-time Whiddon CHO.
Tully, a four-month-old Schnauzer from Whiddon Narrabri, is the newest CHO recruit and has dreams to pursue a promotion to an Everywhere CHO just like her colleague, Roy. Tully recently completed her first full day on the job, with Roy for guidance, and is poised to excel in her role — not letting an eye injury that may have affected her vision slow her down.
Homes across Whiddon will mark ACE Day 2025 with animal-themed celebrations, recognising the official and unofficial CHOs who make each day brighter. Because at Whiddon, happiness comes in many forms, and sometimes, the best friend you need at work has four legs and a very good nose.
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