Dogtober

Have you ever heard of Assistance Dogs Australia? No, not guide dogs, which are provided to people with vision impairments, but dogs that are trained help people with physical disabilities. On October 11, I joined K in a day of fund-raising for ADA at Martin Place. The day started overcast but there was only one short downpour which we avoided by hiding under the marquee.

We pottered around the two stalls at Martin Place until 11, before we met our trainer and got our own tray of fund-raising merchandise.

how cute are the merchandise!? I reckon we should have started selling things before 9 am, to catch the people going to work. God knows how many fund-raising badges I bought when I worked near Martin Place! I think this is ADA's first year fund-raising in Martin Place, so may be they'll do it differently next year.

We walked around busy George st, trying to establish eye contact with people. It was actually quite daunting trying to engage people's attention, and I felt shy and ill at ease. Our trainer who walked Frankie the P-plater said they usually do their street training in Heathcote, and people are much nicer there.

clockwise from top right:
our dog Frankie! we got to walk with him, and command him to walk to our side, watch us, etc;
the incredibly fluffy 3 months old Jacob, who brought the ladies in from far and wide;
an L plater looking up at his trainer;
a wonderful husband+wife team brought their dogs to support the event; they were gorgeous and, unlike the assistance dogs, you could pet these. They got plenty of attention and I got plenty of business haha;
and finally, our little tray of goodness. I bought the brown pup :D

Group photo of the trainers and their dogs. It takes 2 years to train a dog, half don't make it (they may go on to train as police dogs), and each dog costs $25,000 over its life of service because of training and regular follow-up support. There are 180 assistance dogs helping people in the community, with 50 in training. We saw trainers demonstrating what assistance dogs do - e.g. opening doors, pulling off socks, pressing the button to cross the road, and bark when the owner is in need of immediate help.

Incredibly, ADA relies on public support as it does not receive help from the government. So, the next time you get a chance, make a donation, or help them out however you can!

Jacob passed out on the stairs of Martin Place

I felt the same way at the end of the day! fund-raising is hard work people! Next time you see a fundraiser, give us a smile, or some spare change; they really do help make our day!