The Tim and Roxy Story
The name on Tim McCallum’s lips, is definitely, Roxy - the name of his Assistance Dog and best friend. Roxy helps Tim with everyday tasks that he can find difficult if not impossible to achieve, such as picking up all sorts of dropped items, like his mobile phone or his keys, she opens and closes doors, presses the button at the traffic lights and is trained to alert bark if Tim needs hel....
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The Morgan and Yoda Story
She may not be a Jedi master like her namesake, but five year old Morgan’s companion dog, Yoda is a different kind of hero and gives Morgan a paw to hold. Yoda is there for Morgan everyday, helping him pick things up and brightening up his day with just a wag of her tail. Yoda opens the door to a new independence for Morgan, she takes care of him so his parents feel safe to let him pla....
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The Karen and Gypsy Story
Karen Hiam, from Clayton in Victoria will tell you that she hadn’t been on a holiday in twenty years until recently, when she was able to travel to Sydney with the help of her gorgeous Service Dog, Gypsy. Visiting Gypsy’s puppy raiser, Chris Hodder, Karen was able to explore the Harbour City for the first time, taking a ferry under the Harbour Bridge, watching the light shine off the....
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The Jordan and Wanda Story
Assistance Dogs Australia's beautiful and quirky black Labrador, Wanda, was welcomed into Jordan Roger's home, only last Christmas but she's already made pawprints on the family's hearts forever. Wanda lends three year old Jordan a helping paw and has already begun to change her life, giving her the freedom to lead a more independent life. Wanda is there to pick up toys Jordan has dropped....
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The Craig and Yeltsin Story
Like most relationships it began with a handshake but the friendship that has blossomed between Craig and his new Service Dog, Yeltsin is priceless.Yeltsin, was welcomed into the Dodge family at Christmas last Year and this handsome and quirky black Labrador is ready to change the life of Craig and his family, lending them a helping paw and making it easier for Craig to get out and about."We've go....
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The Milena and Xander story
He may not fight vampires like his namesake on Buffy but companion dog Xander is a different kind of hero, helping his recipient, Milena achieve greater freedom and independence.“He [Xander] has the most lovable personality,†said Milena. “He is so affectionate and beautiful. He’s just gorgeous. He’s a great dog.â€Xander performs physical tasks around the house....
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The Daniel and Ursula Story
After almost a year, Assistance Dog Ursula is still dazzling the Johnston family, especially her recipient Daniel, from Blackbutt, with more than just her pretty face.Ursula is Daniel’s Companion Dog and she gives him a new found freedom and independence, encouraging him to get out and about more, going for walks most days to their local reserve. She loves being able to run around and chase....
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The Harold and Yogi Story
Christmas has come early for Caufield North resident, Harold Hartfield with the arrival of his new companion dog, Yogi - who is definitely smarter than the average bear.For the newest Assistance Dogs team, the mind doggling pawsibilities are endless. Yogi will open the door to a new kind of freedom and independence for Harold, who has already been out more since he received Yogi, taking him for da....
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The Holly and Masey Story
Holly Menzies received an early birthday gift last January – Masey, a beautiful Companion Dog, with a heart to match her coat of gold.14 year old Holly has cerebellar and vermian hypoplasia which affects her physical and mental development but Masey is helping Holly to develop her gross and fine motor skills. Just by patting and playing with Masey, Holly can practise her skills and develop ....
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The Elizabeth and Yebo Story
Assistance Dogs Australia has recently placed our hundredth dog, Yebo with recipient and Springwood resident, Elizabeth Egan.Yebo, whose name means ‘welcome’ in Zulu, has certainly been welcomed into the life of Elizabeth, who suffers from Guillain-Barrè Syndrome. The syndrome affects the movement in her limbs, making it difficult for her to perform everyday tasks. But now Yebo....
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The Marie and Pippy Story
Pippy is one in one hundred at Assistance Dogs Australia having been placed with Marie Woessner, a recipient who lives with dementia.While Assistance Dogs are trained to give freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities by performing physical tasks, this case was a very special one, as Pippy and Marie are perfect for each other. Pippy’s family will tell you that sheâ....
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The Jayden and Nakita Story
Assistance Dog, Nakita is dazzling the Koolloos family, especially her recipient Jayden and with more than just her good looks.“Nakita is very good. She’s part of the family,†Damien, Jayden’s dad said. “It’s brought extra joy to our family. She’s got a beautiful heart and just brings joy to Jaydenâ€.As a Companion Dog Nakita’s job is to pr....
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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 who use 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 so....
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The Amanda & Ivor Story
Amanda Reynolds, from Buff Point, and her Assistance Dog Ivor definitely got off on the right paw. “I like having him around, very much so,†Amanda, who uses a wheelchair, said. “He’s given me more independence… he can pick things up so I don’t have to rely on family members.â€Since beginning her relationship with Ivor, Amanda has had more self confidence....
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Nathan's precious Ruby
She helps him get dressed, she takes him to school, she switches the lights on and off, but probably the most wonderful thing that Ruby, Nathan Ford’s Companion Dog provides him with is independence.“The first couple of weeks were such an eye opener for us,†Gavin, Nathan’s dad said. “Ruby has, in practical terms, given him age appropriate independence that an eleve....
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The Peter and Phoebe Story
West Australian Peter Darch is so happy to have his new match Assistance Dog, Phoebe, who has a heart to match her coat of gold.“When I got the phone call it was out of the blue. I was so stoked,†he said. “I drop my things all the time and I usually can’t go out much so I am looking forward to cruising down town and getting out to different places.†And this is exac....
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The Kathy and Vero Story
Assistance Dogs Australia’s newest service dog, Vero, has been making paw prints on the hearts of those in the Winston Hills community. But the deepest mark he’s made, in on the heart of his new recipient Kathy Walden.While his amazing coat and stunning eyes help him attract lots of new friends, he is so much more than a pretty face to Kathy.For Kathy, Vero represents freedom and ind....
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The Alexis and Toomba Story
First she graduated as an Assistance Dog and now Toomba is headed to university with her new recipient, Alexis Smith. Alexis live in Victoria and was happy to be joined by Service Dog, Toomba.Is there nothing this clever pup can’t do? Alexis doesn’t think there is.“She’s very, very good. Excellent actually. She picks things up off the floor for me and I am also train....
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The Cameron and Brandi story
Cameron has been using a wheelchair since an accident 10 years ago. When lying in Talbot South Spinal Unit in Melbourne with a C-6 fracture and spinal cord damage he was watching the Today Show. A segment was shown on the Assistance Dogs Australia program. Cameron has compared his excitement to that of reading the Celestine Prophecy. This was his chance to complete a dream that he thoug....
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The Kathy and Bess Story
Kathy first heard about the Assistance Dog program a few years ago, before we were placing dogs with people with disabilities. She knew of the concept from the documentaries that have been on television from other overseas programs. Once I told her she had been placed on the waiting list for an Assistance Dog she was nearly in tears of excitement. Kathy mentioned to me, that she always wanted....
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The Tanya and Harry Story
Twelve years ago, at the age of 19, Tanya Clarke was involved in a road accident, which left her a quadriplegic, who uses a wheelchair, with limited arm movement and no hand function. Tanya has her own wheelchair accessible unit in the backyard of her parent's home, with an intercom for communication. Then a new helper arrived in January 2001 in the form of Harry, Tanya's Assistance Dog.&n....
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