Noosa dog trainer, Stephen Dawson, retires after 40 years

A beloved Noosa dog trainer of 40 years, who previously worked with the dingoes at Australia Zoo, has been met with an outpour of love and support after announcing his retirement following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Noosa dog trainer, Stephen Dawson, retires after 40 years. Picture - Facebook/Stephen Dawson.

A beloved Noosa dog trainer of 40 years, who previously worked with the dingoes at Australia Zoo, has been met with an outpour of love and support after announcing his retirement following a devastating cancer diagnosis – saying it’s brought him to tears multiple times.

Stephen Dawson, 70, has been running his dog training and obedience business in Noosa since the mid-1980s.

The passionate dog trainer said what started as small classes turned into much larger classes spread across Noosa, Tewantin and Coolum. He also offered private lessons.

He worked with all breeds and ages of dogs to address behavioural issues.

“It is with a heavy heart and regret that with my diagnosis of head and throat cancer all classes unfortunately have been cancelled,” Mr Dawson said.

Mr Dawson loves his dogs.

Through tears, Mr Dawson said he taken aback by the outpour of love and support from the local community when he announced his retirement.

“I really am humbled by the response from this amazing community and beyond,” he said.

“I’m a big boy or I was but I have shed quite a few tears.

“I just keep crying, you’ve got no idea of the emotions I’m feeling right now.”

He said since the big announcement he’s received more than 700 messages and comments on Facebook.

Mr Dawson has been fighting head and throat cancer since September last year.

He hasn’t been able to feed himself and was being fed via a stomach tube from the cancer centre.

“The radiation has killed off my tastebuds,” Mr Dawson said.

“I know how the food should taste however all I can taste is the different consistency of real food.

“I’m now seven weeks post radiation. That was five days a week of radiation for seven weeks. I can’t eat properly and talking is hard. I’ve been battling the elements.”

Mr Dawson is retiring.

The Noosa dog trainer said he couldn’t have asked for a better life.

“Knowing I’ve helped all of those people and their dogs is everything to me. It’s my passion. I love helping people with their dogs. It was never about the money,” Mr Dawson said.

“Looking back at it over the years has been amazing. I wish I could come back and keep doing it but I just can’t.

“Those 40 years of Stephen Dawson dog training has been a blessing. The best life I could have hoped for.”

Sunshine Coast locals took to Mr Dawson’s Facebook comments to share their condolences for the beloved trainer.

“Thanks to you Stephen, you helped me get over my fear of dogs after I was attacked by two rottweilers when I was eight years old,” Paige Homan said.

“I don’t say this lightly but your help definitely changed my life otherwise I would be petrified of dogs to this day.”

“Thanks Stephen for your dedication to training,” Kylie Cirillo said.

“I was fortunate to train with you at Pomona with Maggie our beautiful staffie and with Loui later on.

“Wishing you healing.”

Stephen Dawson is battling cancer.

“Wishing you all the best Steve, you have been wonderful helping us with each of our dogs for the past 35 years,” Shelley Boesten said.

Reflecting on his life and career, still fighting back tears, Mr Dawson said he was eternally grateful for his family, friends, trainers, and clients.

“The best part of my life has been working with dogs. I just love it,” he said.

“There are times I wish I’d done better or when I wasn’t perfect but that’s just life isn’t it.

“I do wish I hadn’t put that pressure on myself but I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t. I’m so grateful for being able to work with so many amazing people and to help them with their dogs.”

Originally published as Noosa dog trainer, Stephen Dawson, retires after 40 years