Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust

🤩 An update on our formal training squad 🤩 We currently have ten amazing dogs in formal training (our six-month training program that prepares dogs to graduate and begin their careers). Currently training in Auckland are Izzak, Lily, Olive, Noah, and Poppy. And in Christchurch, Gavin, Jasmine, Ken, Nina, and Nikau. Each dog is at a different stage of the program. During formal training, our dogs master essential Assistance Dog skills—such as maneuvering gracefully in public spaces, responding reliably to commands, and learning tasks tailored to meet their future client’s specific needs. Dog Trainer Michelle, shares some insights about the dogs she's working with: "I've just started working with Olive, she's a very sweet and willing girl and has fit in well with my other dogs. Lily has also recently begun training. She's eager to learn and very food driven; She also loves praise, which is great for training. Izzak is half way through formal training. He's a gentle giant and sometimes doesn't realise his size! Izzak is always super keen to come to work each day to learn new tasks and hang out with my other dogs in training." In addition to these ten dogs in formal training, we also have 21 puppies in development, diligently working towards formal training to become Assistance Dogs for New Zealanders with disabilities. You can see all our dogs here: https://lnkd.in/gZQuKMzE Thank you to our supporters for making this possible 💙

Today on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we celebrate the life-changing partnerships between our clients and their Assistance Dogs 🦮🐾 Here are some photos of our client, Lachlan, with his best mate Baxter at hospital who makes these visits a lot more manageable. Baxter is also a source of comfort for Lachlan at home, and helps him engage in the community. If you'd like to make a difference, please consider sponsoring a puppy who's training to become an Assistance Dog, just like Baxter: https://lnkd.in/gCiXUZeY 💙 #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities #idopwd

🏆 Congratulations to our Employee of the Month, Queenie! 🏆 This month, Queenie has shown incredible bravery, flying to Auckland to begin her Assistance Dog journey. As the only puppy in her litter, she has amazed us with her courage and determination as she takes her first steps into the big, wide world. Queenie has been melting hearts wherever she goes, proudly wearing her little training jacket and making quite the impression on everyone she meets. We can’t wait to watch her grow and develop over the coming months—and look forward to sharing updates with you along the way.

"A business is only as strong as the people behind it. When good people come together with purpose and passion, they create not just a company, but a community that makes a difference." Today we’d like to say a HUGE thank two businesses who are FILLED with good people, FilmThreeSixty and Stanley St. NZ Made Production Thank you so much for going above and beyond in support of our Assistance Dog Appeal this year, and for creating some amazing content that we’ll always cherish. Your generosity and support meant we smashed our $75,000 target, and we’ll be able to reopen our waiting list shortly, helping bring even more life-changing Assistance Dogs to those who need them. (Everyone, stay tuned for an update on this!) Thank you again for your support, Film Three Sixty and Stanley St. We couldn’t be more grateful 🙏💙

Our newest recruit, Queenie, has been been spotted at PAK'nSAVE! Keep up the great work little one 💙 #assistancedogintraining

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing team at Rātā Foundation, for their support of our mahi in the Christchurch region! Your generosity allows us to raise, train, and place more Assistance Dogs with families who need them - enabling Kiwis to access their local communities and live a more independent, enriched life. From our Christchurch-based staff, volunteers, dogs, and client families, thank you so much 💛

Please congratulate our newest graduate! DUKE 🎓 🐾 Duke is living with his new family in Palmerston North. His client is a young girl called Tiffany who has Down syndrome. The family have been waiting for Duke for about a year, since their previous Assistance Dog retired. Duke's job is to keep Tiffany safe in public through tethering. Tiffany's mum is extremely relieved to take Tiffany out and about again, knowing she'll be safe with Duke by her side. The whole family are over the moon about Duke's arrival, and he's stepping into the big shoes their previous Assistance Dog left behind. Duke is Tiffany's new best friend and source of comfort. If Tiffany is feeling stressed or anxious, Duke can perform 'deep pressure'—a gentle, soothing weight, like a dog version of a hug. Plus, if Tiffany shows signs that she may be becoming upset, Duke can be asked to give Tiffany a gentle nudge to distract her, helping her focus on him, her calming, furry best friend. Thank you so much to Dukes puppy raisers, boarders, sponsors, trainers, and all the wonderful people who support our organisation. It truly takes a village to raise an Assistance Dog and Duke is now enriching the life of a New Zealander who needs him, because of you all. Please join us in celebrating Duke's graduation 🥳 💙

So stoked about this! It is with immense pride to share the news that Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust September Appeal didn't just reach their target of $75,000, but hit a massive $90,425. This is a record amount for their vital Annual Appeal. In 2023, the Appeal raised less than half the $75,000 target, so the difference shows the magnitude of the relentless efforts everybody put in to this campaign. This project touched a lot of hearts, minds & hands, and the collaboration, effort and drive has been remarkable. We would like to further thank our Media, Production, Post-Production, Design & PR teams but most importantly to Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust for making us part of such an incredible campaign. But we don't stop here. There are still hundreds of Kiwi families that would benefit dramatically from the life changing support provided by an Assistance Dog. So this is just the beginning! Congrats Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust

Attention pet owners! 📣🐶🐈 Here's your chance to support Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust by simply purchasing pet food 💙 Right now, every 'Hill's Science Diet' product sold via Petdirect, donates $2 to ADNZT* https://lnkd.in/gf-npcAW ⬅️ While you’re treating your cat or dog to their favorite Hill’s Science Diet meal, you’re also helping puppies and dogs in training! ✨ Help us spread the word by sharing this post! Ts&Cs apply ⬇️ *$2 donation is valid on all Hill's Science Diet cat & dog product purchases made through Petdirect.co.nz during the promotional period. Promotion runs from 8th Oct to 30th Nov 2024. Quantity limits may apply. Excludes Hill's Prescription Diet product range. Hill's Pet Nutrition (NZ) Ltd will donate up to a value of $10k from all Hill's Science Diet product sales made during promotional period to Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust to support the puppies & dogs in training. Hill's Pet Nutrition Petdirect.co.nz

We're incredibly excited to share that the Assistance Dog Appeal 2024 raised $90,425! 🥳🥂🙌 With a target of $75k, we are overjoyed to have surpassed it by $15k. This was only possible because of you—our amazing supporters. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, volunteered, or helped in other ways. We've been blown away by the generosity and backing our organisation received. The funds will help us continue raising, training, and placing Assistance Dogs with New Zealanders who need them. These donations will also help us move closer to reopening our waitlist, and we’ll keep you updated on our progress. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Assistance Dog Appeal 2024. Even though we hit our target, the demand for our services is unprecedented, and we still need your support to help more families. Together, let's continue making a difference for New Zealanders with disabilities 💙 https://lnkd.in/geXVZCS