Written by Russ Benning

Put your hand up if you love animals.

I’m having a giggle to myself picturing thousands of people in random locations at staggered intervals with their hands in the air, seemingly for no reason to the public, as they read the new issue.
Please do it by the way!

Loving animals is an easy sell right? Whether it’s doggos, kitties, bunnies or something more exotic, you’d be hard pressed to find a person with a blanket ‘no love for animals’ policy.

This month’s feature revolves around a therapy dog named Ted.

He’s a beautiful, big groodle (golden retriever cross poodle), with big floppy ears and an unusually patient temperament.

At least I thought the article revolved around Ted. As it turns out, there is a much more interesting story to be told about his human.

Allow me to introduce Leanne Hodges. A Hervey Bay local of over twenty-one years and a person I found as interesting as she was inspiring.

This is the part where I would usually give you a blurb on my interviewees ‘deal’. I’m afraid (actually delighted) that it’s just not that simple in this case.

I arrived at Leanne’s house with Joy (Alive’s founder) and it was go, go, go. We managed to sneak in the interview just one day before Leanne and her family were due to fly out to Bali.

We arrived as her other meeting’s participants were leaving and I thought nothing of it until I realised this was not the exception but the norm.

Juggling a thousands plates was par for the course for Leanne.

I feel like we fit about twenty hours worth of stories into our one hour meeting, and that was before she showed me her Kombi, so that was another half an hour of course.

I was amazed at what this woman had accomplished in her career and I loved her work ethic mixed with her ‘just do it’ attitude.

“I’m just determined. You’re not going to tell me I can’t do something.”

Towards the end of our time, she shared how many times she auditioned for Big Brother and how the next time she is not going to take no for an answer!

“I’m just going to tell them to shut up and listen. When they try to cut me off I’m going to talk over them and tell them why I’m going to be on their show.”

I loved how she would take on a new project just because it interested her and as a by-product would bring joy and happiness to so many people.

One of her first businesses in the bay “Fantasea Faces” was a children’s entertainment company that covered a broad spectrum of activities.

One story I thought was quite impressive and very Leanne, was when she wanted to introduce bunnies to her therapy work but met the obstacle of not being permitted in Queensland. Not one to be put off by such barriers, she found out there was a loophole where the only way to be able to have these animals was to obtain a magicians licence (no longer available today).

This, I imagine, is where many people would concede to seemingly reasonable limitations. Nope, Leanne went out and not only procured the licence, but also went on to learn to be a magician and included this into her shows!

Not afraid to do the work, I noticed there was a clear conviction in the way she spoke about her accomplishments. It always came from a place of passion and excitement. I learned a lot from her in this regard.

It was a clear and beautiful example of the choices we all have to be motivated either by the carrot or the stick.

We progressed to chatting about the therapy animals side of things, Ted wandered over, as if on cue, and sat right next to me.

We locked eyes and I noticed something very different about him. It was almost like there was wisdom or a consciousness behind those big browns.

“Sometimes he scares me” she said.

I asked what she meant by this and she continued, “I don’t know, he just looks so human sometimes.”

I get it. I saw it.

She shared that legally anyone can get a therapy animal licence but that’s only a small part of what it takes.

“You’ve got to have the right dog. If you do not have the right dog at the start, you cannot do this.”
Originally, they had gotten Ted as a family pet but quickly learned that he was different. He was special.

Working with children, people with disabilities, elderly and dementia patients to name a few, it’s paramount to have an animal with the wisdom and patience of our dear fluffy guest.

“If a child pulls his tail will he bite? I know, 1000% he won’t bite. I can’t say the same for Archie (their other adorable but much more regular dog).

Leanne educates us about the benefits of therapy animals. Each of the demographics they service have different needs and outcomes.

Referring to the children at Urangan State High School, “Kids might not talk to each other or have communication problems. When Ted is there, they all get excited and end up talking to each other. It’s really nice.”

She also shares how Ted is fantastic for the kids that have severe social anxiety, allowing him to be the centre of attention. The ones who would usually skip class rather than entering late and being seen can go in with Leanne and Ted and the focus shifts to them.

Ted, the big fluffy ice-breaker!

Another story, this time from a primary school, Leanne and Ted circle around the group then Ted will stop and sit by a certain kid.

“He can sense things we can’t, and you know that kid needed it.”

The conversation shifts to the unique case of the dementia ward at Hervey Bay Hospital.

“Is this your dog? What’s his name? Isn’t he lovely?”

I can tell there’s conflicted emotions as she laughs off that this conversation will happen with the same person several times during a single visit.

Especially rewarding for her, she admits, “it’s just so beautiful—I cry every time I’m there.”

I ponder Ted himself. His gentle and patient temperament lends him to be the perfect animal for the work. Simply being himself contributes so much to our community and touches countless lives. There’s no trying or conscious effort to be exuded for this net positive result.

It’s not until writing this piece that the penny drops and I realise there is a kindred bond between these two kind souls. Just showing up and doing what comes naturally has ripple effects that I doubt either of them are aware of.

I mentioned earlier that following her passions brought joy and happiness into the world and that is simply her nature. I wonder if it’s the chicken or the egg and then I realise it doesn’t matter. Leanne and Ted are just one of those perfect combos.

This is another one of those pieces I wish I could have included everything but it’s just not possible.
Moral of the story is; Leanne and Ted are awesome, animals are awesome and you’re awesome, even more so if you put your hand up at the start!