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CEO Update
I am writing my update this time from our Breeding Centre as I am waiting in the middle of the night for one of our first time mums to start giving birth, hoping that it starts soon and I may get some sleep. The development of our breeding program has helped the entire program evolve during the last couple of years. For the first time in my career we have a full training centre, and when a trainer delivers a dog we can replace it straight away which allows us to help people more efficiently than ever.
But there are more positives than just more dogs for training, we also get to share the journey with so many others. It really does take a community to train Hearing Assistance Dogs, and now Medical Alert Dogs.
We have a fantastic group of dedicated breeding centre staff who take care of our little ones around the clock; even more volunteers who take each pup into their homes and give them all the love they can as well a great start to their career. And, of course, there are those who sponsor our pups, giving them names and supporting them on their journeys to becoming life saving Assistance Dogs.
For those who don’t know, my family is one of those volunteers and we have welcomed little Frodo, the Border Terrier, into our lives. We have watched and guided him as he grew up. The time is quickly coming to when Frodo will come back to the Training Centre to start his formal training, and we couldn’t be prouder of the amazing little man he has become. If you ever consider the chance to be involved on any level with developing our youngsters into fine trainee Assistance Dogs, I encourage it whole-heartedly.
We look forward to welcoming all those who can make it to our Open Day on the 15th April, right before National Hearing Dog Day on the 19th April.
