DOUGIE the therapy dog has a very important job.
He is always happy to go to work, likes to pad around the office saying hello to everyone, and bring joy to those around him.
His price? Lots of pats, sometimes treats, and being told he's a very good boy.
Dougie is golden Labrador who is specially trained as a therapy dog.
Dougie and his little brother Ralph visit Newcastle, Belmont and Waratah police station, and the triple zero call centre at Tuggerah, on a regular basis.
Their handler Tim Wilson knows how important therapy dogs can be after more than 30 years as a police officer himself.
"I can see it makes the people very happy," he said after a visit with Dougie to Belmont Police Station on Wednesday.
"The best thing is when they pat the dog and they say 'he's made my day'.
"Their workload can be quite stressful and busy, so patting the dog can simply mean turning away from the computer screen for a few minutes."
Dougie was initially raised to be guide dog, but wasn't quite suited to that task, and was reclassified as a therapy dog.
Two-and-a-half years later, he's found his calling.
"He's very polite, well mannered, he loves visiting the places we go to," Mr Wilson said.
"He loves interacting with people, especially if they give him treats."
Mr Wilson said Dougie is not embarrassed to go sniffing around the bins after night shifts.
Mr Wilson became a puppy raiser for guide dogs after retiring from the force, and said that while he lovingly nicknamed his dogs 'Dougie the Destroyer' and 'Wreck it Ralph', he wouldn't have it any other way.
He said a visit from Dougie helped relieve some stress and anxiety from those that deal with difficult situations on a daily basis.
The pair were called to come into Newcastle Police Station in the aftermath of the horrific Greta bus crash. They also visit hospitals and children's court.
To celebrate Therapy Dog Awareness Month in September, Guide Dogs NSW launched a 'Dogs with Jobs' campaign to raise awareness for the organisation's lesser-known Therapy Dog Program.
