Over recent months, we've shared many heart warming stories about Therapy and Assistance Dogs in Australia and the enormous, positive impact they have on the lives of the families they support. One amazing organisation we've featured is Australian Lions Hearing Dogs.

As of this month, they are proud to announce a new name: Lions Assistance Dogs,  and it’s for a very exciting reason!

Over the past five years, the scope of their services has expanded significantly. As a result, they now provide a variety of Assistance Dogs to individuals with different needs — not just Hearing Assistance Dogs.
How amazing is that?!
In addition to training and placing Hearing Assistance Dogs, Lions Assistance Dogs now provide Medical Assistance Dogs and Psychiatric Assistance Dogs — further extending the life-changing support they offer.

What Is a Medical Assistance Dog?

Medical Assistance Dogs are specially trained to alert their human to changes in health or to signal an impending medical episode before it happens. They can also retrieve essential medical equipment in an emergency.
One example is their Diabetic Alert Dogs. These incredible companions can detect changes in their human’s blood glucose levels simply through scent. Thanks to their highly sensitive noses, they can smell fluctuations and alert their human early — potentially preventing dangerous situations.
They’re also trained to:

• Retrieve another family member within the household during emergencies
• Fetch a pre-packed medical kit
• Press an emergency alert button in the home if their human falls or becomes unresponsive

What Is a Psychiatric Assistance Dog?

Developed by Lions Assistance Dogs in 2024, the Psychiatric Assistance Dog program is designed to support Veterans living with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
These dogs are trained to interrupt anxious or anti-social behaviours and help Veterans return to a calmer state. Their tasks may include:

• Placing a paw (or two!) on their human when they notice specific tics or signs of distress
• Retrieving dropped items
• Pressing an emergency button when outside assistance is needed
• Offering continuous companionship and emotional support

​What an incredible difference one of these dogs can make!

The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the most popular small breeds—and for good reason! With their signature bearded look, lively attitude, and loyal heart, these pint-sized pups make wonderful companions. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Mini Schnauzer, from its origin story to grooming tips and health facts.

📜 Origin: A German Creation

The Miniature Schnauzer originated in Germany in the late 19th century. Breeders set out to create a smaller version of the Standard Schnauzer, and did so by crossing:

• Standard Schnauzer
• German Pinscher
• Affenpinscher

Some believe the Miniature Poodle was also part of the mix. 

🎯 Purpose: Born to Be a Ratter

Originally bred as a farm dog, the Mini Schnauzer’s main job was to hunt and catch rats and small vermin. Their:

• Agility
• Fearless personality
• Compact size

...made them ideal for the job of fitting into tight spots and getting the job done. They were also used as watchdogs and herders on the farm.

✂️ Coat Care: Low Shedding, High Style

Mini Schnauzers are known for their wiry, double-layered coats. While they shed very little—great news for allergy sufferers—they do require regular, daily grooming:
Grooming Tips:

• Daily brushing helps prevent matting and keeps their coat clean
• Professional grooming or clipping is needed at least twice a year
• Face and leg trimming keeps them looking tidy and helps to maintain their coat all year round

Their unique coat makes them one of the more hypoallergenic dog breeds.

❤️ Temperament: Energetic, Loyal & Loving

Mini Schnauzers are known for their confidence and loving nature. Here’s what to expect:
Personality Traits:

• Energetic and thrive on daily walks or playtime
• Adaptable—great for apartments if exercised daily
• Social, especially when well-socialized from a young age
• Protective—may be standoffish with strangers, but deeply loyal to their family
• Smart and trainable, often excelling in obedience competitions

However, without proper leadership, they may develop:

• Separation anxiety
• "Little dog syndrome" (aka, big attitude in a small body!)

They need a calm, consistent pack leader to stay balanced and happy.

🏥 Health: Long Life

Mini Schnauzers tend to live around 15 years, often maintaining their playful energy well into old age. Like all breeds, they have some genetic predispositions:
Common Health Concerns:

• Diabetes
• Eye conditions
• Liver disease
• Kidney stones
• Weight gain (especially without proper exercise)

A balanced diet and regular activity are essential to keeping them healthy and happy.

​The winter solstice marks the longest night and shortest day of the year. For us here in Australia, this occurs in June, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it takes place in December.
The winter solstice is a result of the Earth’s axial tilt and occurs when our part of the planet is furthest from the sun.

​Just like humans, dogs can be affected by changes in daylight hours. Shifts in our sleep patterns can disrupt our circadian rhythm, which in turn can impact energy levels and mood.
It’s important to keep your dog’s routine as consistent as possible during seasonal changes and to keep them active during daylight hours. It’s easy to slip into a slump as the mornings and nights become darker and colder, but physical activity is key to maintaining a positive mood—for both humans and dogs.
If your dog spends time outdoors, be sure to bring them inside earlier than you normally would, as the chilly night air sets in much sooner than it used to.

For more tips and ideas on how to keep your pooch warm this winter, check out our blog here!

​For those new to this space, Frankie is a very specially trained assistance dog that our business and amazing Doggy Doaters and Customers helped to bring into Abi’s life, to help her live her best life, almost 3 years ago.
Abi has a very rare condition called Auts2 and life can be a bit tricky for her.  Recently she has had to visit with a number of new doctors for the different medical challenges she faces.
We are excited to share with you how amazing these doctors have been to allow Frankie to attend these appointments.  One of the key roles for Frankie is to provide Abi with a calm and reassuring touch point when things in her life are different or difficult.
As you can imagine seeing new doctors, in unfamiliar surroundings, can be difficult for many, but especially for Abi.  With Frankie by her side Abi was able to attend these appointments and by all reports (thanks Sarah – Abi’s mum) was able to work with the doctors to get them what they needed.
For many years guide dogs have really been the only service dogs allowed in medical rooms.  It’s great that now the support these amazingly well trained dogs provide is being accepted by the wider medical community.

​Origin:
The original Poodle, the Standard Poodle, doesn’t have a confirmed origin. Named the ‘French Poodle’ for many years, they were thought to have originated there, however others believe they originated in Germany. Over time, the Standard Poodle was developed into smaller sizes, creating the Miniature, Toy and Teacup Poodle. These smaller breeds came about due to the popularity of the breed among Royal families, wanting a smaller lap dog. It’s believed to have been in the early 20th century that the Toy Poodle came about.
The name Poodle is believed to have derived from the German word ‘Pudel’ which means ‘one who plays in water’ relating to the Poodles love for the water.  

Purpose:
The Toy Poodle was bred as a companion dog but was also used in circus performing. Being a highly intelligent breed and also driven by a want to impress their owners, they were the perfect dog to train for tricks.

Coat care:
The poodle is popular for anyone with allergies and is the reason the breed has been cross bred with hundreds of other breeds in recent years. Grooming is high maintenance for a Poodle as their coat is actually considered hair and not fur. It continues to grow, as does human hair, and requires bathing and clipping at least every 6 – 8 weeks. They do not shed any hair and for this reason it must be clipped and brushed daily, to help remove dead skins cells and maintain a clean coat.
They are prone to wax build up in the ears so require the hair inside their ears to pulled when groomed. There are a number of clips suitable for the breed, with the well known Poodle clip very popular. This keeps hair around the ankles and bracelets and tail and hips. This clip was originally used for working Poodles, to keep their extremities warm and protected when in the water.
Trimming around the eyes and snout helps to keep eyes clean and avoid too much build up from eye discharge too.  

Health & Temperament:
The Poodle is a very intelligent, loving and sweet breed of dog. They are said to be one of the most trainable breeds of dog so can quickly adapt to a new household with good leadership and boundaries. They are very versatile and do great in small apartment living as well as with a large space and area to roam around in. They are very happy to snuggle up on the couch with you and laze around the house, providing they have received enough exercise, with a daily walk being suitable. When socialised well and from a young age, they get along well with other dogs and pets. They can be good with children but are best to be supervised with smaller children and most ideal for a house hold with older children.
Being small and adorable, the Toy Poodle can often be treated like a human baby, which leads to Little Dog Syndrome and serious behavioural issues. These behavioural issues are not natural traits of the Toy Poodle, however are brought on by poor leadership and guidance.
They are, in general, considered a very healthy breed of dog and have a life span of 14+ years.
 
 

As we continue our blog series on 'Common Household Toxins' it's important we share some common signs and symptoms of toxicity in dogs.
It's important to remember that every case is different and depending on what toxin has been digested can change the signs or symptoms a dog may show.
If at any time you are worried your dog may have digested something they shouldn't have or you are concerned about any changes in behaviour, you should always consult your vet for an immediate examination. A quick diagnosis and medical care is the best chance your dog has at a full recovery. 

Be sure to consult with your vet immediately should you be worried about your dog's health at any time. 

​Origin:
The original Boston Terrier is very different from the one we know and love today. Sadly, the breed was bred for pit fighting as such, was originally a much larger dog, weighing around 20kg.
They are one of the few breeds of dogs that have originated out of America, and as their name suggests – they originate from Boston in Massachusetts. The breed was created by crossing the English Bulldog with a English White Terrier (the latter now being an extinct breed.)
The original Boston Terrier, known as the Olde Boston Bulldogge, was then bred down over time by cross breeding with French Bulldogs and then leading to the Boston Terrier that we know today. It was in 1893 that the ‘Boston Terrier’ was first recognised by the American Kennel Association. Thankfully, the breed we know today is a very VERY distant relative of its original breeding.
 
Purpose:
As mentioned, the original Olde Boston Bulldogge was bred for a pit fighting dog. Thankfully, overtime they have bred into smaller companion dogs making them ideal for families as well as being great therapy dogs.

Coat care:
The shorthaired and smooth coat of the Boston is easy to maintain, requiring brushing at least once a week and bathing only when needed. Their eyes will require more attention and should be wiped and cleaned gently daily to avoid any build up. They are prone to catching grass seeds in their ears, so should also have these checked daily. They are a breed that produces little to no doggie odour and is only an average shedder.


Health & Temperament:
This happy little dog is very gentle, keen and intelligent. Training, with the correct approach, is easy although they are known for being a little challenging to toilet train. Their small size should not fool you, they are little pocket rockets who require a good amount of daily exercised. Without this, they can become quickly bored and destructive. Prone to small dog syndrome, they love to be a part of the family but it’s important they know they are not the boss, this can quickly lead to serious behavioural issues.
With the right balance, the Boston makes for a wonderful family pet and are fantastic companions for children and the elderly. When well socialised from a young age, they get along well with most other animals too.
The protruding eyes of the Boston do mean that they require extra care. The breed is prone to a number of eye conditions including juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, cherry eye, dry eyes, late-onset cataracts just to name a few. They are also prone to deafness, luxating patellar (dislocation of the knee caps) and tumours. Breeding parents should be well researched and health reports conducted when looking for a pup.
Being a brachycephalic breed (short, squished faces) they are a breed that struggles in extreme weather changes, both hot and cold so need to be watched closely when exposed to high and low temperatures.

As our beautiful doggies enter their golden years of life, it's time for us to reassess their day to day activities and what we can adjust to help make them more comfortable. Below are some great tips on where to start! 

​A dog’s diet and their weight plays a huge roll in their life expectancy as they age. Moving your dog to a ‘senior’ diet involves reducing the amount of fat and protein in the diet, to make it easier on your dog’s organs to process and to reduce weight gain as their exercise begins to decrease as well.
A senior diet or a specific diet suggest by your vet can help to support kidney function, arthritis and joints as well as heart health.
It's essential, as your dog reaches their later years in life, that they aren’t carrying any extra, unnecessary weight. Extra weight adds extra pressure to a dog’s joints and can worsen arthritis.
A raised food and water bowl for taller breeds is a great way to reduce stress and tension in the neck and back for older dogs. The less bending down they have to do, the easier it will on these areas for them. 

​Although the level of activity your dog can handle will decrease as they age, it’s important to continue a suitable amount of exercise to help keep your dog healthy, keep them from gaining weight and to help support their joints.
You will find you may need to reduce the pace on your walks and also the length and may even need to include some little stops and breaks along the way. It’s best to avoid large hills and any steep inclines or declines, as this just creates extra work for your dog.
Keep in mind the time of day for your walks too, as cooler weather will aggravate arthritis and heat can be overwhelming on the heart of an older dog.
A great alternative to walks for older dogs is water exercise, including swimming and hydrotherapy.
If transporting your dog and you are unable to assist them in and out of the car or if you have stairs around your home, a ramp is a great idea to help them move around. 

​Daily grooming and body checks of your dog are a great way to keep an eye on any new lumps and bumps that may appear, which is very common in older age. Be mindful of any warts or skin tags when brushing as these can easily be caught in a brush and open up into bleeding sores.
Keeping your dog’s nails well clipped and at a shorter length will also assist with their mobility, as they can easily grow into their pads causing a great deal of pain. 

​Senior dogs should be spending most of their time inside, enjoying the quiet life. They have no reached their retirement and deserve some good R&R now. You should assess your dog’s sleeping and resting areas for the day and night and ensure that access is easy, with not gaps or small spaces they could fall into or get stuck (ie: between a couch and wall or down the side of a raised bed) Orthopaedic beds are great for providing support and comfort whilst still being soft and gentle on their joints. Beds that are too soft can be difficult for an older dog to get in and out of and very firm or solid beds will offer no comfort or relief to their arthritis.
During the cooler weather, arthritis and sore joints can flare up, so keeping a safe but warm environment will ensure your dog stays comfortable. Electric blankets and direct heat can quickly cause a dog to overheat so should be avoided, however a warmed room without a chill in the air can be a lot more comfortable to them. 

​We are so lucky now with how far pet care and research has some and now have a variety of options to offer support and relief to our older pets. Your vet can suggest a number of options to offer pain relief and joint support as your dog ages. These range from oral medications to injections. Your vet should always be consulted prior to beginning any new medication or supplements for your dog as this could affect other medication they are currently taking or other organs.
There are also options of physiotherapy and more natural approaches such as red light, acupuncture and natural herbs and supplements through a holistic vet as well. 

Run by MackIllop Family Services, Paw Pals works to provide support workers and therapy dogs to students who face any difficulties to learning. Paw Pals aims to help improve confidence, behaviour and self-regulation for students who require the support.
Amazingly, with the support of the community, Paw Pals have been able to help over 1300 kids, working across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The demand for their support continues and their program is continuing to grow, enabling them to help more and more students every day. Due to this demand, the appeal to the community for donations and support is always there.

Lara Shannon, a Paw Pals Ambassador shares the impact the dogs have on the students.

“Children respond to a compassionate wet nose. The program is trauma-informed and much more than bringing a dog to school, but if you’ve ever melted when looking at a pair of soft brown eyes, you will understand why Paw Pals works.
“Dogs have an innate sense of responding to human emotion, body language and needs. When children meet MacKillop’s Paw Pals, it’s the start of getting back in touch with their education.”

Paw Pals offer two services, school group sessions which allow up to 8 students at a time in a session to 1 on 1 sessions, which can be taken anywhere the student feels comfortable.

The results from Paw Pals speak for themselves and parents and children involved cannot speak highly enough of the program, with many saying the confidence and attendance records of their children improving greatly.
  

Origin:
Originating in England in the mid 1800’s, the Jack Russell Terrier was named after Reverend John Russell. John was better known as ‘Jack’ and was an avid fox hunter.
Over time, the ‘breed standard’ for the Jack Russell Terrier became very broad, allowing varying body types and sizes. In 2003, the Jack Russell Association of America tightened the reigns and this when the ‘Parsons Russell Terrier’ was created. This separated the ‘working’ line of Jack Russell Terrier to remain known as the Jack Russell and the show lines from then onward known as the Parsons Russell.
 
Purpose:
The Jack Russell was a small game hunting dog, trained especially for hunting fox and having the ability to get them out of their dens. Over time they have also been used in tracking, agility and trick performing.

Coat care:
The Jack Russell’s short coat is easy to maintain. It comes in two style, smooth or rough. Brushing a handful of times a week will help to remove any dead coat and they only require to be bathed if they become extremely dirty.
Rough coats will require to be stripped out twice yearly.


Health & Temperament:
The Jack Russell is a sturdy, confident and merry little dog. They are devoted and loving and make a great companion dog. Their obedient personality makes them easy to train and they thrive on boundaries and being put to work.
They have plenty of energy to burn so require at minimum, one long daily walk. Aside from this, they will happily play games and be entertained with adults and children alike.
As with all dogs, exposure and socialisation from a young age is essential to ensure a confident, kind and well-balanced dog. With this socialisation, they can be great with children and other house hold pets. A nervous or anxious Jack Russell or one that thinks they are the boss can lead to behavioural issues such as snappy, separation anxiety, barking or resource guarding.
The breed is well known for being a good jumper/climber so a secure yard is essential.
Some Jack Russell’s can suffer from luxating patella’s (dislocation of the knee cap) eye diseases, deafness and a disease by the name of Legg Perthes, where blood flow to the hip joint can be disrupted. They are also prone to mast cell tumours, so health reports of breeding parents should always been requested as well as regular vet checks yearly, especially as Jack Russell’s age.
Most health issues for a Jack Russell don’t arise until later in life and the breed has an average life span of 15 years +.