mita Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 (edited) There's a program where companion dogs help Australian soldiers who have physical. mental or stress conditions following service. Seems there's programs like this in the UK and the US, too. But the Australian one is different in that the training of the dog involves the digger along with the usual experienced trainer & other assistance. All information at link below. At the end of the article it asks people to contact them if they think they have a dog who might be suitable. Email address given. A feature about the program in this morning's Sunday Mail in Brisbane, said that some of the dogs had been rescued from pounds. So could be handy for rescuers to know about this. The dogs already trained & living with their new owners & featured in the SM article, were Articia, a husky, Allegra, a wolfhoundX and Ruby, a labradoodle. http://www.youngdiggers.com.au/dogs Edited April 22, 2012 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 It was a great story and so refreshing to see that any dog could be special to one of these diggers. I know my girl is very in tune with my health and the moods I have related to it and does things to 'help'. Others have said the same about their dogs. How amazing if some of the wonderful rescue dogs out there could be connected with their heart human through this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezy Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I emailed the person and asked what criteria they have for a dog, what they are looking for and asked if I could then post the criteria here , may make it easier for ppl to know if they have a suitable dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 Good thinking, Chezy. Only says 'under 2 yrs' on the website. It's a bit dicey to guess from the 3 dogs in the Courier-Mail, but they seemed to be taller or more solid dogs. Our neighbour was interested because he has beautiful, home- bred & well socialised racing greyhounds. Sometimes he finds only the best of pet (desexed) homes for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezy Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I got the reply today from John Activity levels change from troop to troop, some are very active and a working type dog could suit. The most important thing is that the dog must be friendly with people and be eager to please. Aged from 9 months to 18 months. thin that for a active person Priya may be ok, she s very friendly and eager to please , so i will email him again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 That makes sense there'd be a variety in activity levels. Some of the former soldiers are dealing with conditions that slow them down, so high activity wouldn't be suitable. But others are still very physically active so the working dog type would fit. Apart from that, the being good with people & eager to please are features of a good companion dog. Best wishes for Priya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 what a fabulous idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmurps Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Greyhounds are doing it as well. http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/4/19/k_9_companion_to_hel.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Pity they want dogs between 8 months and 2 years old (from the website blurb) - I have a 4 month old BT/Staffy here that has the sweetest nature and isn't crazy like most pups his age... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezy Posted April 25, 2012 Share Posted April 25, 2012 another great idea ty for posting that smurps the one from the OP involves the troop in the training of the dog , i have not heard back about Ricki, but I assume the guy prob went to a Anzac ceremony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 Greyhounds are doing it as well. http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2012/4/19/k_9_companion_to_hel.html That's wonderful. It's a US program, but It'd be great if similar were done here. The website specially mentions veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The lovely calm & grace of greyhounds would be so suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyra Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 What a great idea - really fantastic. I hope it gets off the ground well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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