Founders
Former Trish Scammell
Trish was a long term labrador owner, who first saw an Assistance Dog in Action on a television report. When Trish was full-time carer for Ross Storey, Trish thought immediately that it would be good to get an Assistance Dog for Ross. This proved impossible as the closest Australian Assistance Dog training establishment was Sydney, 2700 km from Mareeba. So Trish talked to Liz Oehm, a friend who is a qualified dog trainer, and ASDOGS (NQ) Inc. was born
Liz Oehm
Liz is a lifetime labrador owner and has been a breeder, shower and trainer of labradors for many years. She has gained qualifications in dog training and was an active trainer with the Tablelands Dog Obedience Club. She is so enthusiastic about the ASDOGS (NQ) Inc. concept that she donates all her time free of charge and is training all the rest of us in basic dog training techniques.
Ross Storey
Ross is ASDOGS (NQ) Inc's secretary and has been involved with the Association since its formation. He is permanently confined to a wheelchair as a result of along-term muscle wasting disease (inclusion body myositis). Ross feels that the training of Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities is a worthwhile undertaking.