Meet Nick Brown

My name is Nick Brown and I have been a Lion for 15 years with the Lions Club of Gawler, currently serving as President and Treasurer. I also am involved in many other community commitments including holding the position of Secretary of community radio station PBA FM and presenter for the Jazz and Blues program, emceeing once a fortnight for the Southern Jazz Club, as well as running a Sunday market once a month through our Lions Club. However, becoming a volunteer puppy carer for Australian Lions Hearing Dogs has been one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve taken on.
The program aligns perfectly with my Lions values of serving the community and making a difference. Knowing that the work I put into raising these puppies will ultimately change someone’s life for the better gives me a deep sense of fulfillment.
I first learned about the Puppy Program from a fellow member having a working Hearing Assistance Dog and became interested through that. We then received a visit from a Hearing Dog Trainer for a demo and I was able to learn about the program from another perspective. I reached out to learn more, and before long, my home was vetted and puppy-proofed. Two months later, I welcomed 8-week-old Hieu, a lively Tenterfield Terrier, who now works as a Hearing Assistance Dog in Far North Queensland. The weekly puppy preschool taught Hieu and I (mainly me), basic obedience and good manners for those crucial first months. Since Hieu, I’ve also cared for other pups, including those needing emergency or temporary care. I currently have Milly, a gorgeous little Border Terrier who is due to come into training in a few month’s time.
Raising a future Assistance Dog is brilliant—so much fun and full of laughs. It’s incredibly rewarding to know the work I’m doing is helping someone and changing their life for the better. Each puppy becomes a companion for me during the time that I have them, and I really can’t emphasise how fun it is to be involved in the program.
Whether I’m taking my current pup, Milly, to sell Lions Christmas cakes or bringing her along to the community radio station, she brings people together, sparks conversations, and helps spread awareness about the program – and helps sell an extra raffle ticket or two! – People regularly stop me for a chat and I love when they strike up conversation with me, asking me about the pups and learning about their breed or personality – people really invest time and interest into them.
The handover process is emotional—I shed a tear on the drive home when I dropped off Hieu for full-time training and missed my little shadow around the house. But I feel fully supported by the ALHD team when I drop the dogs off for full time training. Knowing they bond quickly with their trainer, it’s exciting knowing how much they will learn and enjoy. They also enter an environment where they get to expand the skills they’ve learnt with me, it’s exciting knowing how much they will learn and enjoy. Milly is due to come into training in May, and I feel relatively prepared for the handover, of course sad to say goodbye to this journey with Milly but positive for her future and the future of her recipient. Seeing them grow and develop into incredible Assistance Dogs makes every goodbye worthwhile.
If you’re considering becoming a puppy carer, I can’t recommend it enough. You must be prepared to spend time with them early on, getting the puppy set up with toilet training and good manners. Watching a puppy grow, develop, and eventually embark on their journey to change someone’s life is an experience like no other. While saying goodbye is bittersweet, I always remind myself that their next chapter is filled with incredible possibilities, and I’m honoured to have played a part in that.


'Hieu'
'Milly'
Meet Maxine and Paul Helmling
We are Maxine and Paul Helming and are both members of the Lions Club of Victor Harbor & Port Elliott with us both serving for 45 (Paul) and 33 (Maxine) years. After moving to South Australia from New South Wales in August 2024, we were eager to explore the Puppy Foster Care program. Having been long-time supporters of ALHD, the move gave us the perfect opportunity to take the next step. We have both been in clubs that have sponsored puppies and I (Maxine) had worked with Hearing Dog ‘Katie’ in Canberra, and then Hearing Dogs Lily and Corrine with the follow-up process once we moved to SA. Last year we were proud puppy foster parents of Ollie, a gorgeous Border Terrier who has recently entered his full-time training.
Raising a future Assistance Dog has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling projects we’ve participated in as Lions. We loved taking Ollie down to the local coffee shops and restaurants to let him experience the passing traffic as well as other dogs passing by. The interest people showed in Ollie wearing his puppy training coat was a conversation opener that gave us the opportunity to talk about the wonderful work of Lions Clubs and ALHD. As well as letting the community know what these puppies are trained for.

Watching Ollie grow and progress in his training has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that the socialisation experiences we provided helped shape him into a confident, well-rounded puppy with a wonderful personality fills us with pride. These qualities will undoubtedly make a meaningful difference in his future home with his recipient. We feel proud that our commitment to his initial training and ongoing training has helped Ollie fit into his Assistance Dog training. This program aligns perfectly with our values as Lions, as it provides a service that truly improves the quality of life for its recipients. It also helps raise awareness in the community about the impactful work Lions Clubs do, which is incredibly rewarding.
Caring for a puppy came with its responsibilities, but we genuinely looked forward to taking Ollie to his fortnightly training sessions. Meeting up with our Puppy Socialisation Instructor was always a highlight—not just for us, but for Ollie too. His excitement was infectious, with his nonstop wagging tail and charming puppy smile lighting up the moment.
While the program required commitment, dedication, and attentive care to help Ollie succeed, it was an immensely rewarding experience every step of the way. When it came time for Ollie to enter full-time training, the process was bittersweet but fulfilling. We are very proud of Ollie and are so excited to watch him grow in his full-time training.
To anyone considering becoming a foster carer, we wholeheartedly encourage you to get involved. Speak to other carers, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to learn. We also encourage Lions Clubs to consider sponsoring a puppy—it’s a meaningful project that brings the community together and changes lives. While fostering requires responsibility, it’s a rewarding experience that can easily fit around family life and even holidays. We’ve found immense joy in including our family in the journey and would love to see more clubs supporting their members who take part in this incredible program.

'Ollie'
We encourage anyone interested in becoming a puppy carer to contact our Puppy Socialisation team at 08 8388 7836 or puppyprogram@lionshearingdogs.com.au