The Need - Domestic
2019-2020 Local ProjectCommunity Pet Therapy Program for Children with Disability in Queensland
Little Lives is partnering with Doggy Day Care Brisbane to bring pet therapy into the community.
Volunteer dogs will receive a specialized intensive training course at no cost to owners.
Free workshops will be run at DDCB and children with any kind of disability will be invited to attend (max 4 children at a time).
There will be volunteer health professionals (doctors, nurses, OTs) available to assist as well as DDCB staff to supervise the dogs.
What is Pet Therapy?
Pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy is the use of dogs or other animals to help people recover from or better cope with health problems.
Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression & fatigue & improve quality of life for children and their family members.
Currently pet therapy is used for inpatients at the children’s hospital but there is no provider for this in the community.
Some organisations will train family dogs but minimum cost is around $5000
Assistance dogs cost >$20,000 for a family & then running costs
Connect with Little Lives
Little Lives Target
$20,000 over 2 years!
Our First Pet Therapy Dogs!
Charlie - 2 yr old Kelpie ex rescue
Charlie’s breed mix is exceptionally responsive to training making her well suited to this project- she is very obedient and knows how to focus!
Olli - 19mnths miniature labradoodle
The baby of the bunch, Olli is fun, playful yet knows how to be gentle & receptive to kids. He is ready to learn lots & ideal for this project!
Mouse - 12yr old cocker spaniel
Mouse has mothered 17 pups of her own! Mouse is mother hen to all new dogs at
DDCB! She is patient, gentle and can understand the energy of those nearby
What do families think about this pet therapy program?
Doggy Day Care Brisbane (DDCB): The Team
Kaz Kelly is the owner & director of DDCB- a place for city dogs to be safe, to learn, to build new skills and make new fur friends!
Kaz has been a detector dog handler at BNE airport and has completed training in animal behavior, first aid, positive reinforcement, safe handling and enrichment
Kaz has extensive knowledge of the role of assistance animals and believes this project can change the lives of children, families and the dogs involved