Assistance Dogs Australia holds graduation for newly certified service dogs
In news sure to get tails wagging, Melbourne’s most vulnerable have a whole new group of four-legged helpers to assist them in everyday life.
South East
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A pack of bouncing pups have graduated training and are now officially certified service dogs.
Taking the phrase ‘man’s best friend’ to the next level, these pups will do everything from assisting people to walk safely through the streets to giving them a greater quality of life.
Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) held the graduation ceremony for two dogs, rewarding them for completing their training, and marking their first moments in supporting their matched human partner.
This ceremony comes as the Petspiration Foundation and ADA run ‘Dogtober’, a new campaign to raise money, so highly intelligent, specially bred dogs can continue to be trained to help people living with disabilities across Australia.
The Petspiration Foundation announced its newest long-term partnership with ADA, with a three-year contract binding the like-minded organisations.
The partnership came with a $195,000 donation to the ADA over the next three years, with part of the donation being dedicated to the placement of six assistance dogs in their post-graduation journeys.
According to Petspiration Foundation’s charity and events leader, Sherralea Cassidy, this will greatly assist the ADA to continue its work.
“We are committing $195,000 to the ADA over the next three years,” she said.
“Of that money, $30,000 will help contribute to a new sensory garden being built in NSW. We have also contributed graduate-packs to accompany with the dogs once they go to their families.
“These ‘puppy-packs’, are valued at $1000 each. Our contribution will produce around 120 packs.”
The $195,000 donation will also go towards training six new assistance dogs over the three year deal, Ms Cassidy said.
“Every year over the next three years we will be supporting the cost of two dogs and their placement into their new families,” Ms Cassidy said.
Their training is followed by a rigorous process where each dog is perfectly paired with their new owner.
“They are based on making sure the personality fits –—all the dogs are trained differently and they’re paired accordingly,” Ms Cassidy said.
From the graduation, Ms Cassidy said hearing stories from the people who have assistance dogs, and the “great work” they are doing was very “heartfelt”.
“It’s really amazing what the dogs can do. They are helping to undress their owners, and taking washing out of the machine, and locking the gates,” she said.
“It’s just those little things, when we see a dog walking beside someone, we know they’re helping them but we don’t know to what extent and how trained these animals are — it’s what we’re all about, empowering the bond between pets and people.”
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
