Young Brandon Keene loves dogs and he also loves helping people.
The 12-year-old Point Frederick youngster has found a way to combine the two by becoming an official fundraiser for Delta Therapy Dogs.
A junior with the Terrigal Roosters, Brandon decided to run a raffle and asked the Sydney Roosters to donate prizes.
The club was impressed with his mission and donated a jersey with 15 signatures for first prize and a family pass to one of its home games as the second prize, with the raffle to be drawn at a Roosters home game on July 15.
Delta Therapy Dogs aims to help animals and people bring joy to each other, with a belief that the human-animal bond improves quality of life.
Its therapy dogs bring comfort to a range of people, including those suffering from anxiety and depression and/or ill health and the aged.
The organisation’s programs include visits to hospitals, aged care facilities, mental health facilities, dementia wards, palliative care, disability services, health clinics, schools, correctional facilities and workplaces.
Brandon’s rationale in becoming a fundraiser was simple.
“I love dogs and when I heard about Delta and found out they didn’t have many fundraisers I thought It would be nice to help,” he said.
“I think there is a strong connection between dogs and people and I just want to help give people an extra smile and a boost of happiness.”
He was motivated by the joy he finds in his own dog, Golden Retriever Honey.
“Honey makes me so happy and I wanted other people to feel that too,” he said.
“I feel happy most of the time and am lucky to have a very happy family – I just want other people to feel the same as me.
“I don’t like the thought of other people feeling sad – it’s not a very nice feeling.”
Brandon is no stranger to altruism.
Two years ago he organised fellow students at Kariong Public School to compile a range of artworks for the children’s ward at Gosford Hospital.
Brandon’s Dad Phil said he was a mature and caring boy.
“He’s always looking for opportunities to help others,” he said.
“When he came up with the idea of helping people through dogs he started researching charities that involved animals with my help.
“He found Delta is largely unknown and we realised any money he raised could be a huge help.”
Mum Christine said Brandon had even suggested the Roosters should have therapy dogs at their training sessions to help ease the stress associated with their disappointing season.
“Brandon knows that people are encouraged to talk about their depression and suicidal feelings but he thinks it’s also important to make them feel happy and make them smile,” she said.
“He loves his footy and when his Dad told him recently that chess would help his on field strategic thinking he got serious about playing and in a short period of time became the best chess player at his school.
“He just played in his first external tournament and did very well.
“He’s a unique young man.”
Tickets for Brandon’s fundraising raffle can be purchased at the Terrigal Football Club home ground, Brendan Franklin Oval, on weekends.
Terry Collins