Millstream Times March 07

Written by asdogs Friday, 13 April 2007 12:12

NESSIE THE WONDER DOG

ASDOGS have a number of dogs which we call Public Relations Dogs. They wear the orange ASDOG jacket but belong to ASDOG members who use them when they are giving talks to Clubs to tell them what ASDOGS is all about.
We have Katie, a lovely black Labrador/Golden Retriever, Kaiser, a Labrador and Nessie, a Dobermann. They work hard and just love to give demonstrations of the tasks that dogs can carry out to help recipients to achieve greater independence. Nessie Dobermann is my husband’s dog and like most Dobermanns has a real sense of humour. In the last two weeks she has visited Legacy in Cairns, the National Servicemen’s Association at Rocky Creek and the National Seniors Club in Cairns. She delights in pulling off shirts, removing socks, turning on lights, helping with the housework by picking up brushes, saucepan lids, spoons, bank cards or her favourite secateurs.
Pulling the video out of the VCR is another favourite task and finding a lost article is a huge joke to her, she rushes round looking for it knowing very well where it is.
These dogs usually accompany young dogs in training and can be seen in shopping centres on the Tablelands and in Cairns. This is an essential part of a young dog’s training so that they don’t get spooked when they finally go to a recipient. They must learn to go up escalators, lifts, on buses and get used to crowded shopping areas. When their trainers stop for a cup of coffee the dogs must lie quietly under the table. They are allowed anywhere except in an Operating Theatre or where food is being prepared.
ASDOGS is the only organisation in North Queensland training dogs for people with disabilities and can be recognised by the distinctive badge on their jackets and their trainers always wear I.D. badges.
We are happy to give talks to Clubs Associations or schools. Just contact Faye, 40 921816 or Ann 40 965118.

You can see Nessie below in the photo with Hugh holding her.

If you want to see more of Nessie in action then follow this LINK
Ann Moen

"Mad As Dogs" uniforms for the Barrow Race

Written by asdogs Thursday, 05 April 2007 14:41

Check out our excellent uniforms which have just been printed. See 3 wheelbarrow pushers photographed with Mischka the pup, also on the blog.

Ross Storey

More Fundraising for ASDOGS(NQ)

Written by asdogs Thursday, 05 April 2007 14:38

Fund raising for ASDOGS NQ is also continuing, efforts including a cane toad race won by Bruno’s Martin Avenue Flash; a dress like a dog morning smoko [see photo of winners in blog]

and an up and coming trivial pursuit quiz at the Mareeba Bowls club on the night of April 13.

Ross Storey

"Mad As Dogs" team athletes in full training

Written by asdogs Thursday, 05 April 2007 14:27

The ‘Mad As Dogs’ team is now in full training for Great Wheelbarrow Race 2007. Every Thursday our group of 10 dedicated pushers sets aside their lunch break to circle the Mareeba CTA grounds, times and distance covered improving every week. Head pusher Mark Newton reports that we have now had our first field test, where we wheeled our way for 8.7 kms up and then 8.7 kms back along Hodzic Road. The road itself was unsealed, up and down and vary windy and probably characterised the most arduous conditions we will encounter in the race so it was a good test. Every one did well and we managed the 17.4 kms in under 2 hours. See a photo of pusher Lenore on the blog! Yes the road to Chillagoe does still have unpaved sections.

Ross Storey