The Kath & Vespa Story

Kath Keat, from Victoria, will tell you she’s wanted a dog for thirty five years, but she could not have imagined a pooch as wonderful as her new Assistance Dog, Vespa.

While Vespa is a companion dog, she still helps Kath to do things that those confined to a wheelchair find difficult such as picking up dropped objects and turning on the lights.

“It’s absolutely great having her,” Kath says. “I’ve got somebody to look after who also looks after me. I’ve got a little friend who’s with me all the time.”

In just one month, Kath says that Vespa has given her the large boost in confidence that she really needed.

“I used to be, I would say depressed,” Kath said. “But since Vespa came I am a lot happier in myself”.

Kath and Vespa have been getting out in the community a lot, whether they go to their local church group or get creative at Sandy Beach Centre art classes, learning to paint and draw.

“I think everyone in the art class is enjoying having her there. She is so well behaved and just sits at my feet,” Kath said.

Vespa has provided Kath with a new sense of independence and security as she knows someone is always looking out for her.

“It’s so fantastic she’s here,” Kath said. “I really love her. It’s beautiful.”

Vespa is part of a program initiated by Assistance Dogs Australia, a non profit organisation which trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to enhance the quality of life for people with physical disabilities, giving them freedom and independence.

The Paul and Trueman Story

Over the past year, Paul Wiltshire’s and his family have warmly welcomed a new family member into their hearts. Paul’s new assistance dog, Trueman.

“I like having him around a lot. A real lot,” says Paul. “My wife and kids love him. He’s just part of the family and I think he’s gotten me out of trouble at least once a day since he’s been with me.”

Trueman provides Paul with a new kind of independence, helping him with everyday tasks that people in a wheelchair may have difficulty achieving. He can open doors for Paul, pick up any objects dropped on the floor and even pay the cashier at the supermarket.

But that’s not all he does. Since Paul and Trueman’s relationship began they have been busy guys, going to the cinemas, shopping and even visited Santa with Paul’s children last Christmas. They also commute by train to the radio station where Paul works three days a week, a journey which Paul says he now enjoys.

“He’s [Trueman] a lot of fun to be around and he makes things like riding on the boring train a lot more enjoyable so it makes the trip a lot quicker. He helps me out at work too especially when I drop things. I now don’t have to wait for a human to pick it up ‘cause Trueman is there.”

But aside from the freedom and security Trueman provides Paul, he also makes most outings a social occasion, with many passers by stopping to speak to Paul about his gorgeous companion.

‘“He’s Beautiful’ that’s what everyone says. Heaps of people come up to us. I wish I had had him when I was a single man!” Paul said.

Trueman is part of a program initiated by Assistance Dogs Australia, a non profit organisation which trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to enhance the quality of life for people with physical disabilities, giving them freedom and independence.

New YouTube video

Check our our latest video. This is the news coverage for the launch of our Reading Labs program. See one of our recipients, Karen and her service dog Gypsy talk about the program and what it means to them as well as the kids in the pilot program.

Click here

Vote for Assistance Dogs Australia in the Mashable Awards - vote for us for the Best Non-Profit use of social media. You can vote using your facebook or twitter account. Help us get as many nominations as we can......

Click here

Dr Chris Brown wins $250,000

While the Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown may not be smarter than a fifth grader, he came very close, winning $250,000 for the pups at Assistance Dogs Australia in Rove’s Channel Ten show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? last Monday night.

This is the largest one off donation Assistance Dogs Australia has ever received, so as you can probably imagine the pups are thrilled!

A big thank you to Dr Chris and all his studious 5th grade helpers, Dylan, Liam, Lily, Maddie and Oliver and a big hand of appaws for his cute and cuddly puppy helper.

As an Assistance Dogs Australia puppy in training, the puppy featured on the show will eventually undertake tasks that are difficult if not impossible for people with physical disabilities to undertake – tasks such as opening and closing doors, answering the telephone, retrieving dropped objects and even getting bottles of water from the fridge.

With the money Dr Chris won, Assistance Dogs Australia will be able to train 10 more puppies, so they will eventually be able to give freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities.

New Video from Assistance Dogs Australia

Check out the new video from Assistance Dogs Australia.
This is a great one - not one to miss!
Click here to watch!

Pudding cooks up a storm on Ready Steady Cook

The pups at Assistance Dogs Australia have been cooking up a storm – preparing for their special guest appearance on Channel Ten’s afternoon Cooking show Ready, Steady, Cook.

Top Dog at Assistance Dogs Australia, CEO Richard Lord, along with Chef Shane Delia will take on Dr Jenny McMenamin from Westmead Hospital and Chef Matt Golinski in the cook off on Tuesday 6th Dogtober at 2pm.

But Richard and Shane have a secret recipe for success - their kitchen hand Puddin’, a beautiful chocolate Labrador (pictured).

Don’t let her good looks fool you, Puddin’ is much more than a pretty face. As an Assistance Dogs Australia puppy in training Puddin’ can do anything and will eventually give freedom and independence to someone with a physical disability. It seems the boys are in good paws.

But with Bondi Vet and Assistance Dogs Australia’s ambassador Dr Chris Brown in the audience, will Puddin’ withstand the pressure and Puddin’ a perfect performance? Fingers and paws crossed.

Puddin’ will eventually undertake tasks that are difficult if not impossible for people with physical disabilities to undertake – tasks such as opening and closing doors, answering the telephone, retrieving dropped objects and even getting bottles of water from the fridge.