News
28 August, 2025
Local Kelpie runs for Top Dog
A hardworking local Kelpie from Burpengary East is among the standout finalists in the 2025 OZTOPDOG Awards, a national competition celebrating Australia’s most inspirational working dogs.
Now in its fifth year, the competition honours dogs who make a real difference in workplaces—whether in bustling offices or remote paddocks.
Nemesis, a Kelpie from Burpengary East, is a finalist in the Top Dog With A Job category, representing Akheron Working Dogs. Known for her upbeat personality and playful antics, Nemesis works cattle, sheep, and goats daily, despite living with hip dysplasia. She also assists in training clients and their dogs in safe, confident livestock handling, earning admiration for both her skill and spirit.
This year’s theme, ‘Dogs at Work’, highlights the important role dogs play in supporting employee wellbeing, easing stress, and fostering connection in an increasingly pressured workforce. Despite only 14 per cent of Australian workplaces allowing dogs, research from event sponsor people2people Recruitment showed that 60 per cent of employees believe dogs boost morale more than Friday drinks, and 76 per cent said dogs reduce feelings of isolation when working remotely.
However, 28 per cent of workplaces have recently reduced or scrapped dog-friendly policies. The research also showed that 3 in 10 employees would consider a pay cut to bring their dog to work every day, with 62 per cent accepting a 5 per cent cut and 20 per cent willing to give up free snacks and coffee instead.
Winners across all categories—Top Office Dog, Top Dog With A Job, and People’s Choice—will be announced on August 27.
