International Volunteers Day - Recognising volunteers of ASDOGS(NQ)

Written by asdogs Wednesday, 06 December 2006 17:48

Yesterday was International Volunteers Day. In Australia, International Volunteer Day has been designated as a day for the recognition of volunteer involvement, a day in which organisations can thank their volunteer staff.

ASDOGS(NQ) Inc. would very much like to say thankyou to all who have volunteered their time and effort in helping ASDOGS(NQ). It is just incredible how much time and effort people have given towards the organisation. Without them ASDOGS(NQ) would not survive.

Below is some information about International Volunteers Day.

[url=http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=476&nav_cat_id=-1&nav_top_id=-1]International Volunteers Day[/url]

Christmas Hamper

Written by asdogs Tuesday, 21 November 2006 11:54

ASDOGS(NQ) is raffling an excellent christmas hamper.

Tickets are $1 each

The raffle will be drawn on the 15th December.

Help us help those with a disability.

If you would like to buy some tickets then please contact us.

Details on the banner at the top of this blog.

Ben

Dogs Life Magazine - Xmas 2006 Edition - "My Dog My Hero"

Written by asdogs Monday, 20 November 2006 16:19

The boy in the wheel chair was sitting with his head down when a small brown dog came into the room and gently put her head on his lap. He looked up, smiled and so began a new life for him.
This dog belongs to the Association of Australian Assistance Dogs (NQ) Inc., usually known as ASDOGS and is one of the many dogs trained by this small group of volunteers to give dogs to people with disabilities so that they may enjoy greater independence. With no Government funding this group has now trained over forty dogs, Service Dogs who can undertake tasks, turning on lights, pulling off socks, picking up objects, pulling up sheets, Facility Dogs for Aged Care Homes, Companion Dogs for adults and children with intellectual problems and Seizure Alert Dogs.
Dogs are donated to successful applicants but they are asked to contribute towards the cost of needles and desexing.
John (not his real name) has severe cerebral palsy and has to fly regularly to Brisbane for treatment and therapy, Mandy accompanies him in the plane and is allowed into the hospital, thus preventing panic attacks. Wearing her orange jacket she looks after him, picking up items that fall from the tray of his chair and sleeping alongside his bed to gently touch him when he is in pain. This also allows his parents some respite as Mandy will wake them if things go wrong.
For further information please contact the President, (07) 40 921816 or visit our web site:http:/www.asdogsnq.org.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Ann Moen

Eacham Times September 2006 - Michelle & Zac

Written by asdogs Monday, 20 November 2006 16:17

We are very proud of Zac, the first Golden dog from Malanda.
Zac looks after Michelle who is in a wheelchair and lives in Townsville. Michelle works for the Cowboys when matches are being played and Zac goes with her to help. He is very vocal and cheers on the Cowboys and is a great supporter of the team. He is so much admired by everyone that he was given a jacket specially made for him with the Cowboys badge and “Go Cowboys” on it, this is the first time an Assistance Dog has received such an honour. He wears it proudly whenever Michelle is at work, he also has a Cowboy plaque on his collar and is well known in Townsville for his beautiful nature and the way he is aware when Michelle is not well. He has now saved her life twice as he seems to know when Michelle has a problem breathing so he takes her by the arm and makes her go to her bedroom where she can lie down and reach the oxygen supply.
It is amazing how dogs seem to know these things as our Seizure Alert Dogs can sense when their recipient is going to have an epileptic fit and will warn the person by licking their hand or scratching at their leg till they take notice and lie down.
I found it interesting when I visited Michelle recently as Zac and I were very close when I was training him, so when I arrived he came up to me quietly and then went straight back to Michelle. In the evening Michelle went to lie down and Zac went with her but came out later and put his paws on my shoulder and gave me a kiss and then went back to Michelle as if to say “Yes, I still love you but I belong to Michelle now.”
If you know of a person with disabilities who needs a dog they can apply to ASDOGS by contacting Faye -40 921816 to receive an application form. There is a small charge of $25 to apply and if the application is successful we train a dog especially for the person’s needs. The only other charge is $250 which partly covers the cost of desexing and vaccinations. It costs thousands of dollars to train a dog and the Association is run entirely by volunteers.

Ann Moens