Heart Dogs NT

 

Service Dogs for the people of the NT

Service Dogs in the NT for the NT

We all know that dogs and animals in general help to make life better for people and ESA’s are becoming more and more common place in Australia and the world over.

What is an ESA? It is an emotional support animal that has been trained to assist its handler in every day life circumstances that the handler may not other wise be able to cope with.
An ESA differs from a Therapy dog only in their audience. A Therapy dog lives with a handler who participates in feel good programs and support groups, they may visit weekly, monthly etc for an hour at a time. An ESA or Assistance  Dog lives with their handler who need them to be able to access every day activities without anxiety or with reduced anxiety. ESA’s may also be trained for tasks and behaviour interruption techniques. ESA help people with depression and other illnesses that require emotional support.

This includes school, shopping, public transport and a myriad of every day challenges that most able minded or able bodied people would not even realise are a problem for some. The role of the ESA is to put their handler on the same level playing field as any other person, to reduce discrimination.

An emotional support dog will be trained to pass a public access test along with its handler. The public access test is an Australian minimum standard for dogs in supporting roles in the community.

An emotional support dog may be trained to perform behaviour interruption techniques, for example someone who self harms may have a dog that gets between themselves and the object of harm and just cuddles them, making it impossible for the person to ignore them.

An Assistance Dog may be trained to interrupt a behaviour such as zoning out or acting out by an individual. The dog is trained to offer calm comfort and reassurance when the handler most needs it. Additionally these dogs are trained for behaviour interruption and other tasks which make their handlers life easier.

PAWS Darwin is working on a Wellness Dog program where dogs can spend the day in spaces that need them to help reduce isolation, to build rapport and to help people build emotional resilience. A dog for every need. 

Dogs for these program will be carefully chosen and trained for the specific tasks required. Dogs need to be well socialised, well mannered, happy and free from fear. They should be outgoing but calm and happy to be with their handler.

An Assistance dog may take up to 18 months to be ready to support their handler, depending on the tasks required and the activities the handler wants to undertake.

If you would like to apply for an Emotional Support or Assistance Dog through PAWS Darwin Heart Dogs please apply here.

 

 

 

To Donate

BSB: 633 000

 Account Number: 190756585

PAY ID: 0488666722

Please reference Heart Dogs NT

Donations over $2 are tax deductible

 

Owner Coached Emotional Support Dogs

It’s hard to find somewhere in the Territory to train an emotional support dog to suit your individual needs. PAWS Darwin Heart Dog Program is to support individuals who want to train their own pets to support the emotional needs of a family member or a handler.
This process will take you through:
Assessing you and your dog for suitability (fee Involved)
Legal requirements for ESA’s in the NT
Public access testing

Your dog needs to be less than 2.5 years old
Healthy, fully vaccinated and desexed
Well behaved and social
No fears or issues with separation anxiety
No aggression towards strangers

This course will provide you the help you need to ensure that you and your dog are ready to work as a team. The length of the course is dependent on you and your dog and what you want to achieve. (fee Involved)

If you want to train your own dog but don’t have one yet ask us to help you choose the right dog for you and your circumstances, we want you to be successful and we are happy to help you find the right dog to get started.

While ESA’s do not necessarily perform tasks, they must be well mannered and able to pass all public access tests. As the owner Coach, you must be ready to commit to the work it will take for you and your dog to become a team. To be recognised under the Public Access Testing as an assistance dog your dog must perform 3 tasks for you that help you to manage life better. Talk to us about these tasks.

Any dog may be trained to take on tasks, these tasks must be within the dog’s capabilities and those of the owner/coach. ie you cant use a chihuahua to help with mobility.

Log books for all training must be kept by the Handler or guardian/the trainer.

If you would like to know more about training your dog to be an ESA please apply here.

The following are service dog options that Heart Dogs NT can provide. 

Keep in mind that service dogs can perform many tasks and can help many individuals with a wide range of issues, tasks and management of symptoms. Although these dogs can change lives and help individuals manage their day just like any other person, they are not a magic pill that will cure all. They are to be used along with other treatments that will help people deal with everyday lives. 

Knowing if a service dog is a good option for you is the first step you must take. 

A mental health care professional, doctor or nurse can help you make that determination. Furthermore, it is required by law in order to validate your service dog, so you can gain access to public and private spaces. The price of a service dog can vary depending on ones needs. Not all dogs can perform these tasks. A great service dog must be resilient, devoted, loyal, have a solid temperament and healthy in order to perform its job. These are not pets. These dogs at times will be pushed to their limits, thus the training and results must reflect that.
Your Options
 

Option 1

Heart Dogs NT has service dogs ready to be placed. 

These dogs have been trained up to standard and at this level they are general purpose service dogs. Depending on the individuals needs, there will be more training done to customise the dog to meet the requirements of the individual. Keep in mind that the dog must be a match to the individual, not all dogs connect with all people. and Vise Versa. A correct match is essential in developing a bond that will last the life of the dog.
 
 

Option 2

We can help you select the right puppy or dog as your potential service dog. 

There are few select dogs that can perform the tasks required to be an accomplished service dog. Choosing the right pup or dog is a skill that takes years to develop. We must take time to understand the needs, personality, and goals of the individual in order to select the right candidate. Heart Dogs NT may have some puppies that have started socialisation and puppy school who might suit your needs.
 

Option 3

You may have already purchased a dog and you want to know if this dog has what it takes to be a service dog? 

Furthermore, you will need proper training and guidance too bring this dog to its potential. We can evaluate your dog and take time to understand what your needs are, at this point we can give you our opinion on wether this particular dog will be a good candidate. If this dog has what it takes we can help you train it to the highest standard that will produce a solid service dog.
 

Option 4

If you have already purchased a dog and had began or completed training with another person or organisation, but the dog is just not up to standard or your satisfaction, then we can help. 

We can evaluate your dog and the training that was done. Then we can communicate to you if we could improve this dog, and how we would proceed to make it a great service dog. Even if you just want to have social interaction and follow up we have options to support your training.
 

Option 5

Heart Dogs NT also provides maintenance programs. 

If your dogs skills are slipping a bit and your dog needs a tune up, we can help with that. We can put your dog through various exercises and training sessions to bring you and your dog back up to par.

 

Want to help support this program? Your donations will help to care for and train the candidate dogs. Your support helps to provide them with medical care and all the things needed to grow up to support people in need. To donate use the reference Heart Dog.

 

Therapy Dog  Owner Training

🐾 Heart Dogs NT: Empowering Owners through Therapy Dog Training and Support 🐾

Embark on a transformative journey with Heart Dogs NT, where the bond between owner and dog becomes a powerful force for healing. Our Owner-Trained Therapy Dog program is designed to empower individuals to train their furry companions, fostering a deep connection that enhances the therapeutic impact on those in need.

Registration with Heart Dogs: At Heart Dogs NT, we believe in the unique relationship owners share with their dogs. Our Owner-Trained Therapy Dog program provides a streamlined registration process, ensuring that your canine companion is officially recognized as a therapy dog. This registration not only validates your dog’s training but also opens doors to opportunities for them to make a positive impact in various community settings.

Ongoing Support: Our commitment doesn’t end with registration; we understand that the journey of owning a therapy dog is ongoing. Heart Dogs NT offers continuous support to owners, providing resources, guidance, and a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for the therapeutic potential of their dogs. Whether it’s refining skills, addressing challenges, or celebrating successes, our support network is here for you every step of the way.

Assessment Process: To ensure the highest standards in therapy dog training, Heart Dogs NT conducts thorough assessments. These evaluations, conducted by experienced professionals, assess both the owner’s training techniques and the dog’s behavior in various environments. The assessments aim to guarantee that each therapy dog meets the criteria for providing safe, effective, and comforting interactions in diverse therapeutic settings.

Why Choose Heart Dogs NT:

  1. Personalized Training: Tailor the training to your dog’s unique personality and strengths.
  2. Community Connection: Join a community of compassionate individuals dedicated to making a difference through their therapy dogs.
  3. Professional Recognition: Gain official recognition for your therapy dog, opening doors to impactful opportunities.

Join Heart Dogs NT in creating a world where the healing power of the human-canine bond is harnessed for the greater good. Register your interest today and embark on a fulfilling journey of training, support, and making a positive impact in your community.

Register for our next Therapy Dog Boot camp to get started.

 

Donations over $2 are tax deductible

 
You can donate via direct transfer:

BSB: 633 000

 Account Number: 190756585

PAY ID: 0488666722

Please reference Heart Dogs NT

 

Or Via Paypal

Or Via GiveNow

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