Gilbert the black labrador is not used to being the one in need of care.
For two years he has worked at Launceston General Hospital (LGH), helping staff and patients in need of a calming presence.
Now he is recovering from a health issue of his own, having had surgery last week to mend a torn ligament in his back leg.
As his wound heals and he awaits therapy to build his muscles up again, support for Gilbert has been flowing in from the public.
Kim Ryan, program manager at Guide Dogs Tasmania, said a recent Facebook post about Gilbert's condition showed the place he holds in many people's hearts.
"I'm so in awe of all the amazing little messages," she said.
"So many people have reached out and wished him luck with his recovery."
Working hard and winning hearts
Gilbert began work at the LGH in 2021, initially taken on by the hospital to help boost staff morale post-COVID.
But Gilbert's duties soon expanded to include patient care, as his aptitude for comforting anxious people became clear.
"We saw he had an amazing ability to calm people down, to make children, in particular, feel a lot more comfortable," Ms Ryan said.
"He's very quick to pick up emotions, so he'll interact with someone if he feels they're having increased anxiety or worry."
Gilbert's daily routine has typically consisted of an emergency ward walk in the morning, followed by a visit with staff, and check-ins at the ambulance ramp, or at emergency situations when needed.
Ms Ryan said he also worked a lot with people who came into the hospital with mental health problems.
It is through all these interactions that Gilbert had become a "well-loved figure" in the Launceston community, she explained.
"I'm amazed at how many people know Gilbert," she said.
"He's got a special place in all of our hearts."
Long road to recovery
Nine days after his surgery, Gilbert is only just starting to put weight on his sore leg again.
Ms Ryan said after his stitches come out at the end of the week, he will begin two months of rehabilitation, including water treadmill work.
"It's a bit of a long journey to get him to build that leg back up again," she said.
"[But] all is looking nice and positive at the moment."
Guide Dogs Tasmania is currently fundraising to cover the costs of Gilbert's immediate treatment and ongoing care, which is estimated to exceed $7,000.
Meanwhile, Gilbert-the-patient is expected to be off work for at least the next two months.
"He's off the wards while he recovers, but we hope to have him back at work as soon as possible," Ms Ryan said.
"His welfare is coming first at the moment."
