QLD’s Top Dogs Revealed: 9 Pooches Compete for OZTOPDOG 2025 Glory

The wait is over! people2people Recruitment, in partnership with Dogs Connect, is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2025 OZTOPDOG competition and launch the public voting for the coveted People's Choice Award.

Now in its landmark fifth year, OZTOPDOG celebrates the incredible dogs who bring joy, comfort, and camaraderie to offices and home workspaces across the nation. From loyal office companions to hardworking service dogs, the finalists truly make the workplace a happier, healthier place.

This year's theme, "Dogs at Work," highlights the growing role of canine colleagues in reducing workplace stress, improving morale, and combating isolation - vital benefits at a time when more than 75% of Australians report moderate to very high stress levels.

New research from people2people reveals:

• Despite only 14% of workplaces having dogs, 60% of employees say dogs boost morale even more than Friday drinks.
• 76% say dogs ease feelings of isolation when working remotely.
• Yet, 28% of workplaces have recently reduced or scrapped dog-friendly policies.
• A remarkable 3 in 10 employees would consider a pay cut to bring their dog to work every day — with 62% accepting a 5% cut and 20% willing to give up free snacks and coffee instead.
• Other benefits employees would forgo for dog-friendly policies include gym/wellness stipends (19%) and flexible working hours (7%).

"These findings underscore how much dogs mean to employees' wellbeing and work satisfaction," said Mary Savova, Recruitment Manager at people2people. "With OZTOPDOG, we want to celebrate these amazing dogs and inspire workplaces to embrace the positive impact they bring."

Meet the 2025 OZTOPDOG Finalists!

Every dog nominated is a finalist in the People's Choice Award, making every wag of the tail count. Now it's time for the public to decide who will take home the People's Choice. Voting is open now, and closes at 9am AEST on Wednesday the 27th of August 2025. Cast your vote at www.people2people.com.au/oztopdog. Winners will be announced on Wednesday the 27th of August 2025 at 12.30pm AEST - streaming live across Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and Instagram. Award Categories in 2025:

• Top Office Dog: For dogs who lift office spirits every day
• Top Dog with a Job: For working dogs or community helpers
• People's Choice: Open to every entrant and decided by public vote

QLD OZTOPDOG Finalists:

Ice - (in case of emergency)

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job 

Breed: German Shepherd LSC

Suburb: Raceview

Ice is my Assistance Dog and best mate, and thanks to her—and the two before her—I've been able to live independently in my own home for 25 years instead of a nursing home. She knows me better than I know myself, alerting me to narcolepsy attacks or seizures, helping me garden from my wheelchair, and happily opening cupboards (especially the pantry where her treats are).

Billy

Category: 2025 Top Office Dog 

Breed: Border Collie

Suburb: Toowoomba

Billy isn't just an office dog—he's our team's therapist, bringing comfort, energy, and connection to LJ Hooker Toowoomba every day. With an uncanny ability to sense when someone's under pressure or having a rough day, he offers tail wags, quiet companionship, playful distraction, or even a full-blown chat when the office is quiet.

R-Tee

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job 

Breed: Kelpie

Suburb: Kin Kin

R Tee attends school with me, offering a calming presence that helps diagnosed children regulate their emotions, relax, and feel supported in activities that might otherwise be difficult. Loyal, loving, and always ready for a pat, he knows just who to sit with, delights kids with his antics, and even supports fellow staff members.

Nina

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job 

Breed: Labrador

Suburb: Deebing Heights

Assistance dog Nina is a vibrant, loving, and loyal Labrador who can detect the chemical changes in her owner's body before an epileptic seizure, alerting her with a bop or nudge to move to a safe place. Her incredible dedication has already led to over 150 seizure alerts this year, often waking in the middle of the night to prevent serious injury or even death.

Baloo

Category: 2025 Top Office Dog 

Breed: Labrador

Suburb: Brookwater

Therapy dog Baloo accompanies her psychologist owner to work each day, offering a calming presence that reduces anxiety, lifts moods, and helps clients engage in therapy—all while soaking up pats, cuddles, and greeting everyone with a wagging tail. Before her therapy role, Baloo was a pre-alert seizure assistance dog, providing her handler with independence, safety, and freedom.

Kirra

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job

Breed: Black Labrador

Suburb: Fig Tree Pocket

Kirra, a certified facility therapy dog at Mancel College, works with students who have language disorders, helping to regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and even inspiring some to speak for the first time. Loved by staff, students, and families, she can also detect impending seizures, support students with school refusal, and is included in many learning plans and interventions as part of her daily impact.

Tali

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job

Breed: Border Collie

Suburb: Rural View

Tali, a certified therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Australia, works alongside her clinical nurse mum in a regional Queensland hospital, transforming clinical spaces with her presence. On medical wards, her friendly and intuitive nature helps reduce distress, support emotional regulation, and promote engagement, particularly for patients at risk of delirium or experiencing disorientation.

Louie

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job

Breed: Border Collie

Suburb: Broadbeach Waters

Louie is more than a therapy dog—he's a grounding presence in our breathwork studio, instinctively offering comfort and calm to those navigating trauma, stress, and overwhelm. As a certified therapy dog, he also supports survivors through our volunteer work with the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence, helping ease anxiety and build trust where words alone cannot.

Nemesis

Category: 2025 Top Dog With A Job 

Breed: Kelpie

Suburb: Burpengary East

Nemesis, true to her name only in jest, has become the beloved mascot of Akheron Working Dogs, admired by clients for her friendly nature, hilarious antics, and beautiful temperament. Despite hip dysplasia, she happily works cattle, sheep, and goats daily, while also serving as a demo dog to help train clients and their dogs in safe and confident livestock handling.

To vote go to: https://www.people2people.com.au/oztopdog 

PR Contact:  Lisa Solomons | 360 PR | e: lisa@360pr.com.au | p: 0416 175 518