Assistance Dogs train dogs to assist severely disabled people to better cope with day-to-day life by;

• Assisting in practical ways such as opening doors and retrieving dropped items
• Enhancing quality of life through pet facilitation therapy and interaction
• performing interactive tasks and giving unconditional love
• Increasing motor skills in young children and adults to help overcome their disability
• Enhancing quality of life

The current plans are to reduce the current waiting list period and place 30 dogs per year for the next three years to all placement categories and expand over the following two years to 50 dogs per year.

Therefore, the goal of Assistance Dogs for Independence is to raise necessary funds to meet the needs of the projected forecast with placing 190 Assistance Dogs to people in need with physical disabilities. It is planned for the management of the puppy raising and training program to eventually produce 100 trained Assistance Dogs each year to the disabled community.

Due to the nature of the service the Charity provides to the community, Assistance Dogs haven't marketed the service to the disabled community due to the overwhelming need. Before each dog is placed in the program they ensure funding is sufficient for the entire training program of two years. When dogs are more readily available they will target disability organisations. The initial waiting list as from April 2001 is 100 applicants. These applicants have contacted Assistance Dogs through media exposure.

To achieve the five-year plan, Assistance Dogs need to;

• Form partnerships with service clubs, commercial organisations, trusts and high level corporate companies.
  
• Continue to create a strong public image for the Charity
  
• Place dogs to the recipients every three months
  
• Place puppies with puppy raiser volunteers every three months
  
• Raise funds in accordance with the placement objectives
  
• Continue to place segments of the Charity to print and electronic media
  
• Advance the Sponsor a Puppy Program
  
• Continue to create awareness through the pet industry, vet agencies and staff, dog boarding kennels, breeding clubs, dog training clubs/organisation and state canine councils.
  
• Create awareness and funding through major events every three months.
  
• Advance the program to Queensland and South Australia. Western Australia and Northern Territory will be future developments.

I have been involved with the organisation for over three years, as an Ambassador. To see the benefits these Assistance Dogs provide to members of our community who have a physical disability is just unbelievable. The most rewarding outcome is the increased independence that each individual gains which of course contributes significantly to a more independent and enjoyable lifestyle.
Louise Sauvage, OAM
Ambassador