A new permanent guest has taken up residency at Park Hyatt Melbourne this year.
Mr. Walker, an 18 month-old Blonde Labrador, has moved into the hotel’s property situated at the fringe of Melbourne CBD, and has accepted the position as Park Hyatt Melbourne’s first canine ambassador.
Born on 3 December 2015, Mr. Walker was trained to provide assistance and companionship to people with low vision or blindness by Guide Dogs Victoria, the leading provider of Guide Dogs since 1957. From the age of eight weeks, Mr. Walker went to live with a volunteer Puppy Raising family. Young Mr. Walker quickly settled in, and his excellent interpersonal skills made him calm in many different environments, and soon enough, he became comfortable with day-to-day life in the community.
In January 2017, Mr. Walker returned to Guide Dogs Victoria Campus to begin training as a working Guide Dog. After achieving many milestone stages in his training program, it was decided that the guide dog life did not bring the best out of him. His larger-than-life personality was best suited as an ambassador dog, where his affectionate nature will truly be able to shine.
On 31 July 2017, Park Hyatt Melbourne officially welcomed Mr. Walker into the family as its new Ambassador Dog. Upon his arrival, Walker quickly identified himself with Park Hyatt Melbourne’s hotel manager, Brett Sweetman, who is also his official foster carer.
“We are very proud to be able to count Walker as part of family, and confident that he will make everyone feel at home here at Park Hyatt Melbourne,” said Sweetman.
Daily activities for Mr. Walker will include using his notable people skills to bring a new level of comfort at Park Hyatt Melbourne, where he will be able to greet guests with a warm, furry welcome. Guests will also be able to take their morning walks with Mr Walker or visit him at the hotel lobby, where he will be lounging on his custom-made Tasmanian Oak bed, and share their own photos of Walker by using #BarkHyattMelbourne