Meet Ochre

What's up dog?

Ochre assists with the training of support dogs by partnering with them when out in public places like shopping center's, beach boardwalks, around people, traffic and other dogs. The disability client will walk with Ochre while I have their dog. She teaches them what to expect from their dog once training is completed and at the same time supports the dog in training with her calm unfazed demeaner. A client who is in a wheelchair had to learn how to handle a dog in his chair while out in public. Ochre taught him how to go forward, turn while keeping her safe and under control beside him. He now has his own dog who is going well for him. Today Ochre worked at the Coffs Harbour base Hospital with a dementia patient who has been a client for a couple of years. When we arrived he was sitting on his bed quite agitated. He had a security guard with him, Ochre approached and gave him a nudge. He "Dan" is difficult to motivate to do an activity but I managed to ask him to take Ochre for a walk. The great thing with the dog is he will not let the lead go, its like an inbuilt instinct we have. So instead of Dan wandering aimlessly around the hospital corridors and not taking direction from us, he held onto the lead while I walked out Infront quietly calling Ochre and she lead Dan up, down and around hallways out to the garden areas for a few laps. As well as giving the hospital staff something awesome to watch. I asked Dan if he would like Ochre to come again, he look at me and said yeah..... Everyone loves Ochre, she is a lovely kind dog who has helped many people achieve better relationships with their own dogs and people with disabilities have been able to have a more fulfilling life with their dogs learning how to support them.

How is this award decided?