Meet Instructor Georgia: Connecting to people – through dogs

How Instructor Georgia creates meaningful change in people’s lives by training and placing Assistance Dogs

Placing Assistance Dogs with clients holds a special place in Georgia’s heart. After years spent guiding puppies, volunteers, and clients through the life-changing journey of Assistance Dog training, she’s seen just how powerful these partnerships become. “It’s not just about providing support – it’s about fostering confidence, independence, and emotional connection,” she shares. “The bond that forms between a person and their Assistance Dog is powerful; it can create new possibilities, increase community connection, and bring a sense of companionship that can’t be replicated. Being part of that journey – watching lives transform through trust, teamwork, and love – is a privilege I’ll never take for granted.”

From Puppyhood to Partnership: Georgia’s Role at ADA

Georgia has been part of the Assistance Dog world since 2020 and has spent almost four years in ADA’s operations team, working across puppy development, training, and instructing. Based in Queensland, she works closely with a dedicated network of volunteers who open their homes – and their hearts – to the puppies and dogs in training.

“My role is really about supporting dogs and humans through every stage of development,” Georgia explains. That includes everything from educating volunteers, conducting training sessions, and running assessments, to supporting clients across Australia with their working Assistance Dogs.

A “typical week” for Georgia simply doesn’t exist – and that’s part of what she loves. Her days are filled with managing dogs of all ages and developmental levels, checking in with volunteers and clients, scheduling follow-ups and assessments, providing training sessions, distributing supplies, documenting progress, onboarding volunteers, and sometimes racing around in her work van, fondly known as “the party bus”, collecting dogs for group outings and socialisation. It’s busy, hands-on, and constantly evolving. “Every week requires flexibility,” she says, “but it also brings a new opportunity to support growth – whether it’s a puppy nailing a new skill or a client building confidence with their matched dog.”

The Training Journey: From Tiny Paws to Life-Changing Partners

One of Georgia’s favourite parts of the job is witnessing the full training journey, from Puppy Education through Advanced Training and into placement. Many of the dogs she works with, she’s known since the day they left the nest. “Watching them grow from playful pups into confident, reliable partners is one of the most beautiful transformations,” she says. Early development focuses on foundational skills, exposures, and building curiosity. Advanced Training introduces specialised tasks, tailored to support individuals with physical disabilities, autism and PTSD. Each dog moves at their own pace, and instructors like Georgia constantly assess their strengths and potential roles.

The matching process is incredibly thoughtful. Instructors look beyond task capability, considering personality, lifestyle, home environment, handling style, and energy levels. “When we finally place a dog with their new teammate, everything comes together,” Georgia says. “We support them through the early days of bonding, connection, and learning how to work together. It’s a moment of immense pride and I never get tired of it.”

Supporting Autism Clients: Skills That Bring Calm and Confidence

A significant part of Georgia’s work involves training and supporting dogs destined to help clients with autism. These dogs are taught meaningful skills such as nudging, deep pressure therapy, interrupting distress behaviours, environmental buffering, and supporting emotional regulation. “Our goal is not only to build a task-trained working dog, but to create a bond that empowers clients and families to move through the world with more independence, confidence, and joy,” she says. For many autism clients, the dog becomes a calming and grounding presence, someone who can help them feel safe, understood, and more confident in navigating daily life.

This commitment to support doesn’t end at placement. Georgia and the ADA team stay connected with clients through regular follow-ups, behavioural support, ongoing training, and community engagement. Volunteers receive the same level of care: structured training programs, home visits, 24/7 support, educational resources, and recognition for the vital role they play.

The Power of Partnership

When asked about the biggest impact an Assistance Dog has, Georgia sums it up beautifully: “Calm, connection, and confidence.” For ASD clients especially, these dogs make public spaces more accessible, help regulate emotions, and create moments of connection that may have felt out of reach. “For families, the impact is often life-changing,” she says. “They gain more access to the community, more moments of emotional regulation, and a sense that they’re not navigating the world alone.”

To the donors who make this work possible, Georgia offers heartfelt gratitude. “Your support is truly life-changing,” she says. “You’re not just helping to train dogs – you’re creating new possibilities, increasing community connection, and allowing individuals to live more independently. We couldn’t do this without you, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of the ADA community.”

Through her passion, her expertise, and her unwavering belief in the power of the human-dog bond, Georgia continues to help change lives – one dog, one client, one connection at a time.