Assistance Dogs Australia looking for more puppy educators on the north shore

IF you are someone with a lot of love to give, but missing the perfect, furry partner, Assistance Dogs Australia wants you.

New Assistance Dogs Australia Puppy Educator Supervisor for the north shore Andrea Blackford with Rupert.

IF you are someone with a lot of love to give, but missing the perfect, furry partner, Assistance Dogs Australia wants you.

The small, national organisation provides assistance dogs free of charge for people who have physical disabilities, families with a child with autism, and ex-servicemen and women living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.

New Puppy Education Supervisor for the north shore Andrea Blackford said assistance dogs were often confused with guide dogs.

“These specially-trained labradors or golden retrievers provide freedom and independence to people living with a disability,” she said.

“The Super Pups learn how to carry out specialised cues – from loading a washing machine and removing items of clothing for someone with a physical disability, to responding to signs of anxiety in children with autism and sufferers of PTSD.”

Assistance Dogs Australia puppy educators in a training class.

Every dog needs a Puppy Educator to care and train the pup for 12 to 15 months until its ready for advanced training.

PR and Communications officer Jane McKie said Ms Blackford’s new role meant it opened the door to more puppy educators on the north shore.

“It lets us give them the dedicated support we consider crucial,” she said.

“The local communities on the north shore are made up of exactly the right people to embrace puppy education – dog lovers, self-employed, retirees, work from homers and families who have a child with autism.

“We really love our work, but to do it, we need people to love our pups.”

To learn more about becoming a Puppy Educator, visit assistancedogs.org.au/volunteer