Jo Mcvilly owns IronBark DogPark, a state of the art facility offering a dog daycare program so special that it’s earned a special place in the community. Each week, her program fills 63 dog slots with working breeds, older pets up to 6 years old and spunky “naughty teenagers.” The daycare is focused on much more than providing a safe place to keep dogs occupied. It makes them happy. It implicitly produces happiness and links up for their people through encounters together.
Jo Mcvilly’s inclusive daycare program is a remarkable example of going above and beyond. She’s open to all kinds of dogs, all breeds, breed mixes, understanding that each one has their own personality and their own needs. You can practically feel the excitement of the dogs based on how much they’re wiggling at their turn to board the bus.
“The dogs know what day it is — they’re already hassling their owners at 5 and 6 in the morning.”
For Mcvilly, the pleasure of being around animals comes from her long history of working with them.
“I’ve always loved animals, and now I get to work with them every day.”
She emphasizes the importance of allowing dogs to embrace their natural instincts while benefiting from human companionship.
A Day of Fun and Learning
The pups jump aboard a custom-built canine safari bus, and they’re off! This bus magically transports them from their neighborhood to a specially constructed action sports playground. This bus ride isn’t just transportation, it’s an important component of the daycare experience, building anticipation and excitement for the dogs.
“I love watching their faces before they even get on the bus,” Mcvilly expressed.
Once they get to the park, the dogs go through all sorts of activities designed to help them play and learn at the same time. Mcvilly’s philosophy revolves around providing an environment that enriches and allows dogs to be dogs.
“If you give them the basics and the boundaries and train them from the beginning, you’re going to have a really happy dog, a really well-socialised dog,” she noted.
Mcvilly’s program puts participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) at the centre of everything. One such participant is Amber Kaats, who sustained an acquired brain injury. Merging dogs with the lifestyles of people with disabilities forges unbreakable emotional attachments. Beyond companionship, these furry friends provide emotional support and help alleviate the burdens of everyday life.
Supporting Families Through Connection
McVilly’s program not only helps dogs, it helps their owners as well. Families like Amber’s can take comfort in knowing that their pets are in caring, loving hands while they’re temporarily transitioning through life’s challenges.
“With disability, you do have those off days, but you come down here and that’s all forgotten,” an unnamed source commented.
Amber’s father, Ludy, stressed how life-changing this opportunity would be for his daughter.
“You’ve got to look forward to things. [Amber] does this, and that’s what you look forward to — I know she’s safe.”
This unique bond between dogs and humans allows for important conversations and emotional exchanges to happen that can be hard to find in other environments.
“To be honest, we’re in a rural community and having connections can sometimes be difficult,” Mcvilly explained. “But if you put dogs in the mix, just sitting here, they can touch and be patting the dog and still be able to have that conversation — it is really beautiful to see.”
McVilly’s commitment goes far beyond just keeping watch — she strives to develop a caring environment where all can flourish.
“We’re creating a space where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and build a future in animal care,” she said.
Transformative Experiences
The effects of Mcvilly’s program should reach far past daycare services. She sees truly miraculous things happen to dogs and people alike. Most participants even come in nervous or shy, and leave with a completely different sense of confidence.
“I get quite emotional from the change I see — from being quite reserved, quite anxious, quite withdrawn, to just coming out and feeling more confident,” she shared.
His hand was in the former, transfigured by his deep connection to his dog friend. Just as dogs become comfortable playing and socializing with other dogs, so their human companions journey through that emotional experience as well.
McVilly’s art emphasizes the potential of animal care to build human relationships and heal communities. It delivers happiness to animals and the humans who care for them.
