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 a dog, but family and friends had dissuaded her because she would have been unable to look after the needs of a puppy, due to her disability and living independently within the community. The idea of a fully trained Assistance Dog was a dream come true.
Kathy and Bess went through the team training course which was conducted at her premises. Now they have been together for six months, passing all the tests that are required for them both to go out in public together. Since then, they have gone to the movies, shopping together and for many leisurely walks around Sydney.
They both make a great team and on the 24th June 1999 Ellie and Geoff Fitzsimmons, the puppy raisers who raised Bess, had the chance to officially hand her over to Kathy at the Assistance Dog Graduation ceremony. It was fantastic to see that all the hard work had paid off and the joy that Bess is now providing to Kathy.
