On any given morning somewhere in Sydney, you might spot a young labrador sitting patiently outside a café, resisting the temptation to scoop up dropped crumbs. It’s not just good doggy manners – it’s the first step in a life that could transform someone else’s.
For volunteers like Beth Kates, raising Assistance Dog puppies is more than a feel-good pastime – it’s a commitment to shaping future independence for people with disability, autism or post-traumatic stress. And right now, Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) is calling for more locals to step forward to care for their puppies from 20 weeks
to 15 months.
Beth knows firsthand how powerful the experience can be. After moving from England two years ago and leaving her own ageing dogs behind, she felt the absence deeply. “I really missed having dogs around,” she says. “I came from a farm in England and now I live in a city so becoming a puppy raiser for ADA was a really good way for me to enjoy some time with dogs.”
Her first trainee, Cairo, quickly became part of the family, going everywhere with her and her teenage sons. “They go everywhere with you, the shops, the cinema, everywhere,” Beth explained. “They have to because you are training them to be able to go everywhere for the people they support.”
The constant companionship builds something deeper than a typical pet-owner relationship. “You get a much closer bond than you would with a normal pet dog,” she says. “They become really bonded with you… and do everything you ask of them because that’s what they need to be doing as assistance dogs.”
The role, though, does have some emotional challenges. Saying goodbye when the puppy returns for advanced training is never easy. “I absolutely fell in love with Cairo. He was amazing, so saying goodbye was really, really hard,” Beth said.
But the positive impact outweighs the heartbreak and seeing Cairo again later reaffirmed Beth’s decision. “He definitely remembered me, and he was just giving me lots of big hugs,” she said.
Now raising her second puppy named Nancy, Beth is helping shape another future Assistance Dog, one that will learn to open doors, retrieve items and remain calm in busy environments and give a person independence.
“You want a perfectly behaved dog, so getting to that point requires patience and consistency and daily training…so that they’ve got the best ever manners,” Beth explained. “Knowing that you are doing it to help people who need assistance in their daily life really keeps you motivated,” Beth says. “It’s an incredibly important thing to do.”
ADA provides training, covers food and veterinary costs, and offers ongoing support through a network of trainers and fellow raisers to ensure volunteers aren’t alone in the journey.
With demand for Assistance Dogs growing, ADA is urging more Northern Beaches residents, especially those working from home, retired, or with flexible schedules, to consider bringing a puppy into their homes to help change lives.
To find out more or register your interest, visit assistancedogs.org.au/volunteer