THE CANINE CREW THAT FORMS A SPECIAL BOND

Dogs can be a human’s best friend. They can also provide emotional and physical support to people with disabilities or experiencing trauma. With rising demand for canine support, one training provider is growing its furry family.

Elvis is a six-year-old Labrador and a mobility assist dog.

“He’s a social butterfly who loves interacting with people. When he’s working, he’s focused and ignores everything around him, especially when I’m walking,” says Jess Harper about her dog, Elvis.

Jess, who has difficulty walking, relies on Elvis for balance and to prevent falls. “Elvis gives me the confidence to go out and do things, so I’m not stuck at home. He can sense when I’m anxious and will come over to me, resting his head on my leg. If there are people in the way, he nudges them three times to say, ‘Excuse me, I’m here, please move,’ especially on crowded buses and trains.”

Jess suffers from leg dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes her muscles to contract constantly. While physiotherapy helps, there is no cure, and other treatments have either failed or caused side effects. For the past four years, Elvis has been an invaluable source of support.

“If I fall, he’ll bark to alert my neighbors. If it’s not a serious fall, I use Elvis to help me get back up by pushing myself up with his shoulder blades,” she explains.

Elvis was trained by Assistance Dogs Australia, a non-profit organization that provides assistance dogs at no charge to people with physical disabilities like Jess.

Senior Instructor Chris Debenjak explains that the dogs are trained for various tasks based on the client’s needs. “Physical assistance dogs typically pick up dropped items, open doors, and assist with mobility tasks. They can help with everyday activities, like holding items or assisting with clothing.”

The dogs are usually Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or a mix of both. Mr. Debenjak notes that trained dogs also help clients with complex autism or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder integrate better into society. “We teach our dogs grounding and emotional support behaviors, applying deep pressure to help regulate clients during stressful times.”

A strong bond between the dog and the person is crucial for successful training. “Our dogs become attuned to our body language and mannerisms, sensing when we need them most,” he adds.

Assistance Dogs Australia has been supporting individuals for 28 years and currently aids about 200 clients, with dogs also working in schools and courthouses. However, growing demand has led to closed waiting lists, prompting an expansion. A new training center with an 80-dog capacity opened in Sydney’s west in August, thanks to federal funding. This center will soon house litters from a new breeding program.

CEO Tim Taylor plans to reopen applications next year, aiming to support 300 clients within three years. “We acquired a breeding operation in 2022, which, along with our national training center, helps us increase our capacity to assist more people,” he explains.

Training an assistance dog takes two years and costs around $60,000, covering breeding, training, and matching with clients, largely funded through donations and corporate sponsorships. Volunteers, known as puppy educators, play a vital role, raising the dogs from 8 weeks to one year. Tim says more volunteers are needed: “They are the lifeblood of our organization. We can’t place dogs without them, so we’re actively looking for more people to join us.”

One former volunteer is Chris Debenjak, who began as a puppy educator six years ago. As part of its expansion, ADA is developing a Certificate IV in Assistance Dog Training, the first of its kind in Australia. Chris finds the work incredibly rewarding. “Seeing the positive changes in clients’ lives is fulfilling. We have clients who couldn’t leave their homes, and with our support, they can rejoin the world.”

Jess says Elvis has opened up her life, and she hopes to change perceptions about disabilities. “I want more people to understand that having a disability doesn’t stop you from doing everyday things that anyone else can do.”