Associate Professor Kellie Winter and Zelda at Northern Beaches Hospital The doctor with the dog: Zelda’s special role at NBH Patients and staff at Northern Beaches Hospital are receiving a special kind of support from a much-loved four-legged member of the team. Zelda, a 9.5-year-old black labrador, has been part of the hospital community since shortly after the hospital opened in 2018. Owned by Associate Professor Kellie Winter, Zelda works as part of the Northern Beaches Mental Health Service and comes into the hospital four days a week. Zelda also visits other areas of the hospital and has a long-standing history of working across Northern Sydney Local Health District, working at Hornsby and Ryde hospitals. Kellie said Zelda’s calm and friendly temperament made her well suited to therapy dog work, helping to bring comfort, connection and a sense of normality to the hospital environment. Zelda first joined Kellie’s family as a therapy dog for her daughter, before later bringing her skills into the hospital environment. Her presence is particularly valued by patients who may be feeling anxious, isolated or unsettled during their hospital stay. Kellie said Zelda had also become an important part of staff wellbeing. “The staff love Zelda and she is part of the team here,” she said. “She helps reduce stress and boosts morale. “Zelda makes people happy and is a great companion for myself too - I certainly don’t mind being referred to as ‘the doctor with the dog’ at work.”
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