What is ASDOGS(NQ) all about?
Formed in the year 2000 in Mareeba, North Queensland, the Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ) Inc [ASDOGS(NQ) Inc] is an organisation dedicated to the training and promotion of accredited Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities.
ASDOGS(NQ) Inc. is a charitable organisation, established to train and provide Assistance Dogs to help people with disablities to achieve a greater independence. Training standards are those set by Assistance Dogs International, the governing body.
Primary Goals
1. Select and train suitable dogs to required standard of Assistance Dogs and to meet the special needs of appropriate recipients.
2. Actively promote the concept of trained Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities.
3. Promote general awareness and support for the Assistance Dogs program among relevant private and public organisations and the broader community.
4. Raise funds to finance the development and expansion of the ASDOGS(NQ) Inc program.
What is an Assistance Dog?
An Assistance Dog is a dog specifically trained to assist a person with disabilities, thus affording the person a much improved quality of life and a measure of independance.
Dogs are taught a wide variety of tasks including :-
- Turning light switches on and off.
- Opening and closing doors and gates.
- Picking up dropped items (e.g. books, clothing, portable telephones etc.).
- Helping to remove clothing.
- Summoning assistance if their owner is in distress.
Other tasks can be taught as required.
Other significant benefits are:-
- Companionship
- Sense of safety
- Independance
How is a Service Dog Trained?
Training an Assistance Dog takes considerable time as each dog is trained specifically for the individual recipient's needs.
Training in basic obedience and socialising skills ideally starts at the age of two months when each young puppy is placed with a "Puppy Raiser".
Once this initial stage is complete, full obedience and specialised "task training" is commenced using positive reinforcement approach, under the supervision of our Director of Training.
Qualifying for an Assistance Dog
A person with a physical disability can apply for a dog using our Application Kit. We assess each case individually and potential clients are carefully screened with regard as to whether, because of the nature of their disability, they would benefit from an Assistance Dog and be able to ensure that the dog receives adequate care.