Churchill Neighbourhood Centre - September 2025

Remembering Lilly – a pioneering therapy dog who changed lives

Lilly, a Bernese Mountain Dog with a heart as big as her paws, has left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of children and families throughout Gippsland.

Before his time as Manager of the Churchill Neighbourhood Centre, Nathan Brown spent over 20 years in early childhood education. During that time, he began researching therapy dog programs, looking for the most suitable breed to work closely with young children. His research led him to the Bernese Mountain Dog—affectionately known in Switzerland as “hugging dogs”—renowned for their gentle nature and emotional intuition.

That is how Lilly came into the lives of Nathan and Bethany.

Lilly went on to become the first full-time therapy dog to work in an early learning service in Australia. Recognised as a valued member of the team, she helped pioneer a movement that changed the face of early childhood care. At the time, no similar programs existed. Today, hundreds of therapy dog programs operate across the country—many inspired by Lilly’s trailblazing work, particularly in schools and centres throughout Gippsland.

Over the years, Lilly worked at early learning centres across Traralgon and Morwell, where she supported hundreds of children and educators. Her presence quickly became indispensable. Eventually, she followed Nathan to the Churchill Neighbourhood Centre, where she continued her impact in a new community setting.

For more than five years, Lilly worked side-by-side with Nathan. She was not restricted to a single room—she roamed freely, forming deep and lasting bonds with the children. Every morning, she would make her rounds, greeting each child and remembering which room they were in. Once her loop was complete, she would instinctively return to the children or staff who needed her most that day. Her emotional awareness was nothing short of remarkable.

Lilly connected deeply with children of all ages—from newborns to kindergarteners. She would gently check on every sleeping child, line up with them for activities, and even join them on bus runs. At one point, Nathan noticed she was putting on weight—only to discover the children had been secretly feeding her snacks throughout the day as a shared secret with their beloved friend.

She was not just a dog. In many ways, she believed she was one of them.

That is part of what made her work so special—and why she was later recognised with several national and industry awards, including the prestigious Shining Knight Award, which honours outstanding dogs who have made a significant contribution to the lives of others. Lilly also received multiple accolades within the Early Childhood sector for her pioneering role in therapy dog programs. For fun, she even entered the occasional dog show—bringing home more than a few ribbons along the way.

Even now, Nathan is regularly recognised in public as part of “the therapy dog team.” Families often stop to share how much Lilly meant to their children—even years later. Many parents have said their kids begged for a dog of their own after spending time with Lilly, and several families ended up welcoming new pets into their homes because of her. For so many children, Lilly was the gentle friend who made them feel safe, seen, and loved—and for many, she will always be remembered as their first best friend.

With great sadness, we share that Lilly passed away on August 11, 2025 following a cancer diagnosis. Her loss is deeply felt, but so too is the gratitude for the years she spent changing lives.

Lilly may be gone, but the comfort, connection, and joy she brought to so many lives will never be forgotten. We will continue her legacy through the Therapy Dog Program—because everyone deserves a friend like Lilly.