Festival Friends - Let’s raise the woof!

Festival Friends is a dedicated group of specially selected support dogs, that attend Musial Festivals in Tasmania. Our Purpose is to be a safe space for patrons and volunteers to come and spend some time with. Especially those who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or unsafe at any stage. We are there to create social inclusion, embrace diversity and reduce isolation. We also spend time working alongside the First Aid Teams to help with harm minimisation while building a positive connection to Mental Health.

Festival Friends grew from our Trainer, Isabella working with Assistance Dogs and attending Falls Festival as part of Misha’s Mates. Seeing the capacity that the dogs added in value, joy and comfort to their handlers and patrons they interacted with, she knew there was a specific need to bring this support back to action post Covid. Since the changeover to Care Dog’s and Co, the Festival Team got a little left behind.

The opportunity to start again, adding a Support Team to Good Gumnuts Music Festival in 2023, the spark was reignited, and Festival Friends was back! As a team, we also attended Party in the Paddock in 2024 which had wonderful feedback. The dogs and our people worked the floor, bringing so many smiles and encouraged those that were feeling isolated or overwhelmed to engage and reset mentally. We originally started out as Party Poochies but with a much-needed re-brand, we are Proud to be Tasmania’s only Music Festival Support Dogs!

Festival Friends is made up strictly by volunteer members. Our entire team are dedicated to providing the community with an inclusive environment, rewarding interactions and an open atmosphere through our dogs. Our dogs have been selected for their capabilities to interact, thrive and adapt in the fast-paced environments that are Music Festivals. We have extensive measures, training and strategies in place for the safety, comfort and success for all involved. This is for our dogs, our team and all those we interact with and for everyone to feel safe, welcome and appreciated.

The team, our dogs, and the patrons absolutely thrived in the 2024 Festival season. We are excited to be planning, training and preparing, to add new members for the 2025 season! Follow the link below to pop in your Expression of Interest to Join Our Team or Contact Us with further questions!