So all of us know the basic premise of a guide dog. This is a dog that we see with a visually impaired or blind person that helps them to get around. We see signs on store windows that say only guide dogs are accepted on the premises and we should all understand and know that when a guide dog is working (in their harness and / or with their jacket on) they are not to be patted (you send your love vibrationally)

But what do you know about Guide Dogs Victoria? In this Therapy Dog Thursday we share with you a little about the main organisation in Victoria that train Guide Dogs and also share with you about their Therapy Dog Program (not necessarily for the vision impaired) and how you can get involved.

Guide Dogs Victoria
Sine 1957 Guide Dogs Victoria has provided a vital service for Victorians with low vision or blindness.
But today they offer so many more community initiatives outside of training and supplying Guide Dogs, including training and education programs for the humans they support. The team at Guide Dogs Victoria work to ensure people with low vision or blindness are active and involved members of the community.
But back to what we are all really interested in – the Dogs!!!!

Did you know that not all puppies that start off training to be guide dogs will be placed with a vision impaired / blind person?
The requirements for a Guide Dog are high and exacting and not all the beautiful puppies that start the training process will be suitable for the role and responsibilities of a guide dog.
What is great about this is that they maybe suitable to be a Therapy or Companion Dog – providing much needed BUT different assistance to someone whose life would not be the same without them.
So when you see a Therapy Dog or meet a Companion Dog you might be meeting a doggo that started their training as a Guide Dog.
The team at Guide Dogs Victoria have 3 types of reclassified dogs – Therapy Dogs (including PTSD dogs), Ambassador Dogs and Companion Dogs. To be clear these dogs will be required to do different tasks to a Guide Dog and as such are not afforded the same benefits as Guide Dogs. And for dogs that are not suitable for any of these programs they then find a forever home with a loving family as a pet – which we all know the immense value of!!!

Want to Get Involved?
So there are a heap of ways that you and your family can help with raising a Guide Dog. Being a part
of raising these special dogs cannot be under estimated and we encourage you to visit the Guide Dogs Victoria website HERE!
Here you can find out about:

•  Puppy Raising – long term (12 months) or short term (be a temporary carer)
•  Volunteering – there are lots of ways you can help either for a single event or ongoing
• Fundraising – you can get involved with a fundraising event that is coming up
• Donating – there are lots of ways to make a tax-deductible donation – just check out their website.
  
  

In our next Therapy Dog Thursdays, we will share with you some of the dogs that are making a difference in the world that came through the Guide Dogs Victoria Programs. Keep your eyes open for those but in the meantime check out the Guide Dogs website and see how you can get involved.
Thanks for reading Therapy Dog Thursday – we hope you love all the wonderful things dogs do to make so many people’s lives better!

​Keep up to date with Guide Dogs Victoria at their Facebook page HERE! 

Your pooch will be performing all their best tricks to earn one of these biscuits as a treat! 

A common behavioural issue observed in small to medium-sized dogs is "little dog syndrome." This behaviour often arises from humanizing the dog or inadequately addressing its fears. As a result, these dogs may develop further behavioural problems, including difficulty managing situations independently, leading to increased fear, anxiety, and potentially even aggression.
A great article by Cesar Millan offers valuable insights into how raising your dog in a calm, assertive manner, with you as the pack leader, can lead to a well-balanced and happy companion. We felt it was important to share this helpful resource with everyone!

This Therapy Dog Thursday we want to share another wonder filled story from the Assistance Dogs Australia Team.
Having trained Frankie for Abi and her family we know that the team at Assistance Dogs Australia are amazing people.
 
Today we want to share with you another wonderful story from the team at Assistance Dogs Australia.


Colin (now 13) from Western Australia is doing his best. He is living with autism, and five years ago he received an Assistance Dog named Phoenix to help him reach his full potential.
Colin used to be homeschooled due to the severity of his anxiety, which prevented him from exploring the outside world.
With Phoenix by his side, Colin now attends year 8 secondary college in Western Australia, everyday. His mum, Kaye, is so proud of how far he’s come. She said,
“Phoenix is amazing. He is relaxed, calm, always willing to work, and devoted to Colin.
Phoenix has helped to reduce Colin’s anxiety by giving him the confidence to take on the daily challenges he faces and by being the one ‘friend’ he can always rely on to be there for him.”
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For Colin now, the world is his oyster. Colin is a member of a local swimming club, chess club, football club and has a personal trainer at the local gym.
To Assistance Dogs Australia supporters, Kaye says:
“I can’t thank you enough for the amazing gift of Phoenix. Phoenix has taught us so much and I am so very grateful that he is by our side every day.”
Now Colin’s future is even brighter with Phoenix to help him navigate through his teenage years.

Arthritis is a chronic degenerative condition that primarily affects major joints such as the shoulders, knees, hips, and elbows. This disease causes the cartilage that cushions and lines the joints to break down, exposing the ends of the bones and leading to painful bone spurs. Additionally, the joint lining becomes inflamed and thickened, which limits mobility.
Often referred to as osteoarthritis or "old age arthritis," this condition is common in both humans and dogs and is generally considered the same disease in both species.

Your dog may appear lame or to pull up sore after exercise. They may be reluctant to go for walks, jump into the car or onto the couch. Especially during colder weather, they may be slower to get up after resting and can appear stiff. 
They may also appear more grumpy or react when touched in a sore area. 

Thankfully, there are many options on the market now to give our pets relief from arthritis. Depending at what stage of arthritis your dog has will depend on what your vet recommends, so it's always best to consult with your vet before beginning treatment. Treatments can include:

• Supplements added to meals
• Regular injections from the vet
• Vet prescribed kibble that supports joints and bones
• Reducing exercise
• Water exercise 
• Weight management 

Origin:
The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately knowns as 'The Westie' originates from Scotland. They are in fact, simply a white Cairn Terrier, that came about when a Scottish breeder had some white pups within his Cairn Terrier litters. He continued to breed these white pups and created the Westie. 
 
Purpose:
The Westie was used as a working dog to control vermin issues as well as foxes, badgers and otters. 

Coat care:
The Westie is equip with a double coat however they shed very little hair. The breed requires a clip every 4 or so months and brushing every other day. Their coat is good at repelling dirt and mess and only requires bathing when needed. 

Health & Temperament:
The boldness from their original ancestors has not escaped the Westies we know of today. They are a confident, sturdy and determined little dog. It's important they have rules and boundaries set in place from a young age to avoid little dog syndrome. In general, they are great with kids and robust enough to keep up with them for some playtime. Without balanced training and good socialisation, they can become destructive.  They enjoy companionship and are an easy breed to train.
The breed can be prone to liver issues, hip issues and diabetes. They are often sensitive to certain foods which can cause skin issues too. 

It has been a little while since we gave you an update on Abi and her therapy dog Frankie.  Lots of exciting things have happened since our last report so we felt it was time to give you all an update.

As many of you know Frankie, a beautiful female golden retriever, was provided to Abi and her family after her training with Assistance Dogs Australia. 
Since joining the family, Frankie has been not only a wonderful and calming support to Abi but has also provided no end of benefits (and unconditional love) to all of Abi’s family. 

Her parents, Sarah and Michael, and her siblings, Finn, Sage and Lachlan all have a really special relationship with Frankie.
We have shared some images with you so you can see some of the things that Abi and Frankie get up to together.  Frankie goes with Abi to her therapy sessions.  Abi practices her dog handling skills walking Frankie daily and when it comes to bed times, Frankie is there it help settle Abi.  And just a couple of months ago, Frankie was best dog at Sarah and Michael’s wedding.  She was a important part of the wedding party and was a very good girl at the wedding.  Such an event was very exciting and stimulating for Abi and for her to have Frankie there to help her regulate her emotions before, during and after the ceremony was just one of the many valuable reasons why dogs like Frankie are so very important to young people like Abi (and their families).

Again thanks to all those people who helped us to provide the funds for Assistance Dogs Australia to train and place Frankie with Abi and her family.  It truly is a gift that gives every single day. 

The same as humans, dogs can be diabetics. In almost every case, a diabetic dog is a Type 1 Diabetic, that cannot be controlled or managed with diet or oral medication alone. They will require insulin injections on a regular basis, in most cases every 12 hours but every case is different.

 Diabetes in people and dogs occurs when the pancreas no longer produces insulin for the body, meaning it needs to be added to by body a different way - via an injection. 
The causes of diabetes in dogs can vary and can be one or a combination of the following issues.  

• Obesity 
• Pre disposed genetically 
• Infection
• Pancreatic issues
  

Signs of a diabetic dog before being diagnosed can include:

• Increase water consumption
• Increased urination
• Increase in hunger
• Fast weight loss
• Cataracts 

It can take some time to get a dog's diabetic condition under control once first diagnosed. Once a stable insulin amount and safe, low fat diet is established, a diabetic dog can continue to live their life reasonably normal, compared to how it was before.
Meals and insulin injections must be kept to a strict schedule and snacks and treats throughout the day will need to stop as well as ensuring they are kept at a healthy weight. 
With the advancements in modern medicine, there are now many tools on the market that can help manage and maintain a dog's diabetes, including blood glucose monitors and insulin pets, that hold and draw down the exact amount of insulin needed for each injection. 

With a team of trained Doggy Doaters available to our guests 24/7 - day and night we can attend to diabetic needs. For more information on our special medical needs care, contact us or visit accommodation options page HERE!