TWO-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever JLo is in the running to be crowned one of Australia’s top office dogs.
The Newhaven pooch has been named a finalist in the 2025 OZTOPDOG awards, which celebrate the incredible dogs who bring joy and companionship to workplaces across the country.
JLo spends her days at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, where her owner and General Manager, Braxton Laine, says she has become a quiet but powerful presence.
“In 2023 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and so the dog has come to me as a bit of a helper in a way, but more broadly when she is in here, with the volunteers and staff, she is just remarkably good with people,” Mr Laine said.
Her sensitive nature has made her popular with staff and visitors alike, with JLo often drawing curious glances during training sessions inside the museum.
“Because she’s a toller, that’s probably the first thing people notice, and then they ask about the dog and I become half an educator about tollers,” Mr Laine said.
He added that JLo has an almost uncanny bond with him. “Anyone that spends a bit of time around JLo will notice that she will consistently look up at me. She is really well bonded. She will not walk off by herself, and her commitment to me is just staggering.”
It is not all serious business though. JLo has her quirks, particularly when she obeys the command “leave it” or “ignore.”
“If you’re walking around with JLo and you give the command, she will walk straight past. Most people sort of say, ‘did you just tell the dog to ignore me?’” Mr Laine laughed.
When it comes to her favourite part of the workday, JLo is most interested in the smells drifting out of the museum kitchen. She knows she’s not allowed inside, but that doesn’t stop her from sitting in the office and watching the chefs at work.
As for cheering people up, JLo relies on her looks. One glance at her expressive face is usually enough to force a smile, with her gentle nature doing the rest.
The OZTOPDOG awards are now in their fifth year, with this year’s theme “Dogs at Work” highlighting the positive impact of canine colleagues in reducing workplace stress, lifting morale and easing isolation.
New research from organisers people2people Recruitment shows 60 per cent of employees believe dogs boost morale even more than Friday drinks, while three in ten would even take a pay cut if it meant bringing their dog to work every day.
JLo will be competing in the Top Office Dog category, with public voting closing at 9am AEST on Wednesday, August 27. Winners will be announced the same day at 12.30pm via livestream.
If you would like to vote for JLo, please visit http://bit.ly/4lyBWRz.
