Community & Business
14 May, 2021
Carers needed for assistance dogs
THE Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (ASDOGS) North Queensland is looking for people to take in and train puppies into full-fledged assistance dogs.
THE Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (ASDOGS) North Queensland is looking for people to take in and train puppies into full-fledged assistance dogs.
ASDOGS NQ is a volunteer run organisation that trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities to help them with everyday tasks.
This includes but is not limited to picking up items off the floor, fetching things and even turning on certain lights.
These dogs are trained by carers under the eye of an accredited trainer at the facility here in Mareeba, these carers take in the dogs for training after answering a questionnaire and a face-to-face interview.
Helen Holt has been a trainer and carer for ASDOGS NQ for 14 years and trained several dogs that have gone to homes.
“It’s very satisfying and rewarding but you know the dog doesn’t belong to you, it is being trained to help someone else,” she said.
“They need it more than you do.”
Due to the training facility being in Mareeba, residents who wish to apply will need to be able to travel to the facility once a week for training.
Do not mistake becoming a carer with getting a new dog however, these dogs need to be trained so that they can help our elderly and physically impaired population and prevent injuries.
If your interested in becoming a carer and training assistance dogs fill, visit their Facebook page and complete the questionnaire after which, ASDOGS NQ will be in contact.
