Kalinda School and Echo’s story

Echo the Educational Support Dog spends her days working at school, and evenings and weekends with Principal Belinda Wallace. She is a much-loved part of Kalinda Support School, a school in Griffith, NSW, for children with a wide range of disabilities.

“Echo provides emotional support to students suffering anxiety, pain, discomfort or any number of playground boo boos, picks up items that students who are in wheelchairs have dropped, walks next to students on their way back to class, listens to students read, lets students learn grooming skills and brings smiles to staff and student’s faces.’’ said Belinda.

“There is no doubt that she is a clever dog and we are extremely fortunate to have her on our team!’’

Echo has been extremely popular at Kalinda SSP, she even has her own Facebook page.

“I don’t get students coming to show me their work anymore… they come to show Echo!!!’’ said Belinda.

Echo was provided to Kalinda SSP completely free of charge by Assistance Dogs Australia. As part of the Sponsor a Puppy Gang, Echo’s training was paid for by generous monthly donations from the general public.

Supporters are pleased to see her progress, commenting, “Delighted to see Echo doing such a wonderful job after being one of her sponsors from a puppy. Lovely to see my monthly donations helping to have such a beautiful result.’’