Smart Pups to fundraise $80,000 for new facility in Verrierdale

A Noosa hinterland organisation that trains assistance dogs for children with special needs may take a huge financial hit if it cannot raise $80,000.

A Noosa hinterland charity that trains assistance dogs for children with disabilities has until the end of June to come up with tens of thousands of dollars or their business will take an economical hit they may never recover from.

Non-profit organisation Smart Pups based in Pinbarren but must leave its premises to head to their new home at a purpose built dog training facility in Verrierdale.

The move means the organisation would relocate from founder Patricia McAlister’s home into a new property with training yards and kennel areas.

Chief executive officer Janelle Denny thought the process of finding new grounds to train the dogs would be an arduous task however the Verrierdale site provided a great opportunity.

The Smart Pups team hopes the community can help them raise $80,000 before June 30 to secure their future. Picture: Contributed

“We felt as if it was purpose built for us,” Ms Denny said.

“So we’ve entered into an unconditional contract earlier in the year and paid a deposit and had three months left to fundraise.”

A bank loan, government funding and community pledges have brought them within throwing distance of the site, with only $85,000 left to fundraise.

Ms Denny said they had until the end of June to secure the rest or they would have to extend the settlement.

“We’re trying to work out how we can navigate as we’d hate to forfeit the contract and deposit,” she said.

“It was be quite devastating to us if that happened.”

Janelle Denny, Nelson the Smart Pup and Chris Sheehan at The Imperial Hotel. Photo: Alain Bouvier

From humble beginnings in 2011 Smart Pups now employs up to 25 people, has 50 volunteers and 280 disability support dogs Australia wide.

It provides autism support, seizure response and other assistance dogs to children.

“The world opens up for these kids as they end up going out more, they’re more social and the children build confidence,” Ms Denny said.

“Non-verbal kids especially it’s been life changing as we’ve seen children rise to the occasion and begin giving their dogs commands, and soon after that comes saying mum and dad.

“For a mother who never heard the word mum from her child, it changes the world.”

Donations can be made here.

Originally published as Smart Pups to fundraise $80,000 for new facility in Verrierdale