RALF

How a rescue dog became a therapy dog and brought happiness, hope and healing to everyone he met.

Ralf the giant schnauzer was about to be put down when Caroline Lovick heard about him. He had been ignored as a puppy and developed a serious barking problem. When Ralf arrived at Caroline's house, where four active children lived, he soon stopped barking and found his true calling as a loving dog who loved nothing better than to play gently with children. Soon, Ralf's potential as a therapy dog became obvious. His talent was spotted one day while he was being shown at a dog show. Before long he was starting work at the Royal Children's Hospital. Ralf became an instant hit with the terminally ill children, and over the years he has made worldwide headlines for his extraordinary ability to bring hope to the sick. Ralf's story is heartwarming and inspiring. It is a true tale of how the love of a human owner can change a dog's life and how the love of a dog can bring life back to those who have lost faith. Ralf was born in Tasmania but found his way to Melbourne when Caroline Lovick saved him. He now works as a therapy dog at the Royal Children's Hospital. Anne Crawford was a feature writer for The Age and The Sunday Age for more than 10 years and is co-author of Doctor Hugh: My Life with Animals, Forged with Flames: A True Story of Courage and Survival, and Shadow of a Girl. Great Australian Horse Stories was published in 2013. Her most recent book, Women of Spirit, was released in May 2014. A horse-owner and horse-lover, Anne lives in country Victoria where she rides a small mare with a lot of attitude called Poppy.