Assistance Dogs Australia are calling for more volunteers to look after and train their adorable puppies

ASSISTANCE Dogs Australia has just 11 puppy educator volunteers across NSW, but more than 140 people are seeking an assistance dog. Can you help?

Assistance Dogs Australia desperately need your help to care and train these puppies. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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ASSISTANCE dogs may be man’s best friend, but they are also man’s biggest support system.

And for many Australians, they are their eyes and ears, they help provide balance, guidance but most importantly, they give back their independence.

But the reality is, Assistance Dogs can’t fulfil their job and provide support to those living with disabilities without your help.

Puppy educator and supervisor, Fran Diogo said Assistance Dogs Australia have as little as eleven puppy educator volunteers at the moment across NSW, while over 140 people in the state are seeking an assistance dog.

Volunteers will look after eight-week-old pups and provide basic training. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mrs Diogo said while taking on a puppy is a big commitment to make, volunteers are critical because without them they wouldn’t have assisted dogs in training.

“We never have enough, we desperately need more,” Mrs Diogo said.

“We have a target of 35 volunteers, so we need at least 20 more to be happy,” she said.

Puppy educator and supervisor Fran Diogo says taking on a puppy is a bit commitment but volunteers are critical to pups being trained. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Assistance Dohs Australia would like at least 20 more volunteers. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mrs Diogo said the volunteers would look after the puppy from eight weeks old, where they will provide basic training for 12 months before they go to advanced training.

“Volunteers teach those basic commands and toilet training, control with impulses around food and teaching them about creating a bond,” Mrs Diogo said.

She said a lot of their puppy educators are repeat volunteers and feel proud to be a part of that journey.

Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia said assistant dogs make a huge difference in the lives of many Australians dealing with difficult circumstances.

“There are some amazing people behind the training and raising of these dogs,” Mrs Crighton said.

She said the training for Assistance Dogs is only increasing with some now being trained to detect dangerous blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Dogs are a man’s best friend and that is well and truly the case for Aussies with disabilities who rely on their help. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It just goes to show how amazing the humble canine companion is,” she said.

Mrs Crighton said the Assistance dogs in training will say goodbye to their carer’s at around 14 months of age, where they will begin their advanced training and one on one with an instructor.

To become a volunteer or to find out more visit www.assistancedogs.org.au.