Mando and his handler pay a very special visit to the children at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Johannesburg, South Africa (11 November 2026) – Mando is just over two-and-a-half-years-old. He’s a golden labby, a very good boy…and a therapy dog who has just begun his volunteer journey alongside his handler!
Therapy dogs are some of South Africa’s most special and often overlooked working dogs.
Therapy TOP Dogs is a local non-profit that works in the space. The organisation recruits handlers and their own therapy dogs who voluntarily spend their free time visiting hospitals, special needs schools, frail care centres, old age homes, children’s homes and hospices.
Mando is one of them, and he’s still at the very beginning of his journey spreading smiles for miles.
This therapy pooch has completed his second probation visit at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital which provides paediatric children’s services, including inpatient and outpatient therapy. The hospital has a specialised unit for children recovering from severe trauma or illness, where therapy dog visits have been warmly welcomed.
Mando has also wrapped up his very first visit at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg. His handler says it was tail wags from start to finish. The pair visited the hospital’s ICU as well as the cardiac and dialysis wards.
View this post on Instagram
Dr Esther Mahlangu Turns 91 and Google Has Released Something Epic to Celebrate!
Sweet Life Invites Everyone to Turn South Africa Blue This World Diabetes DayTheir visit was filmed and shared to the ‘Star Paws’ Instagram page, where Mando and his sibling Jabba’s journey toward becoming qualified therapy dogs is documented!
“I’m so happy we could spread some love and joy in the hospital wards.” shared his hander, in the caption of the video.
Mando deserves a round of ‘a paws’, because he is a new therapy dog graduate!
After passing his Therapy TOP Dogs evaluation in September, he officially became a volunteer. He is now in the process of supervised and probation visits, where he and his handler are enjoying their very first experiences in bringing joy to those who need it through doggie therapy!
by 
