School donation helps bring robotic pets to Brisbane seniors

Kelvin Grove State College raised almost $700 to buy the cuddly companions

Brisbane primary school students have put a smile on the face of aged care residents after gifting them three life-like electronic pets which respond to petting and hugging.

Students from Kelvin Grove State College decided to raise money for the Carinity Hilltop aged care home to show support for older members of the community.

The school holds free dress days for students every term, using the money raised to support local community groups and environmental projects.

This term they raised almost $700, which allowed Carinity Hilltop to buy three new companion pets for residents.

Carinity Hilltop diversional therapist Lois Healy said these life-like electronic devices “move and sound like real animals and respond to petting and hugging”.

“They provide great comfort and joy for older seniors,” Healy said.

Abbie Duncan, a member of the student representative council (SRC) which organised the donation, said students believed it was important to give back to the community.

“Our SRC teachers asked for us to come up with some ideas for what we could fundraise for, for our free dress day that was coming up, and we wanted to support something in the local community,” Duncan said. 

“I knew the residents in aged care had been in lockdown and had been doing it tough during COVID, so we thought it would be a good idea to help them by fundraising.”

A contest is currently underway for students to name one of the companion dogs.

Carinity Hilltop residential manager Ramandeep Gill thanked the students for their generosity.

“Our residents and staff thank the school students for their very generous donation. We look forward to more collaborations in the future,” Gill said.