Month
Mr GRIMLEY (Western Victoria) (10:15): I was pleased to speak at an event hosted by Animal Therapies Ltd on the first of this month opening the 2022 Animals Helping Humans Month. They had reached out to me after my successful motion last year on WorkSafe Victoria’s non-established, new or emerging treatments and services policy as well as the broader focus our party has on using animals to help people with mental health issues and mental injuries. It was fantastic, and I was able to share the story of the late Ron Fenton OAM, which everyone in this chamber is familiar with by now. Other presenters on the day included Jessica Curtis from PETstock and Aubrey Fine, but there have been sessions throughout the month with many other speakers. I am so glad to hear that Animal Therapies’ Courage, Resilience and Determination Award will now be called the Yogi Award after Ron’s former sidekick and beautiful chocolate labrador. Yogi and Ron won this award in 2020. The 2021 recipient was a girl who went from suicide ideation to a life of meaning through equine-assisted psychotherapy. What an incredible outcome. Thank you for the invitation, Animal Therapies, especially Wendy, and I wish you all the best for your ongoing advocacy and your awards presentation, which will be held on this coming Monday.