Welcome!
I’m Wendy a specialist therapy dog trainer. My dream is to help Kiwis living with disabilities, mental health challenges and other conditions, receive some extra love and support from a therapy dog.
My Journey
I’ve always been passionate about training dogs and my journey began over 32 years ago. I joined Guide Dogs New Zealand and became their Breeding Manager and a Guide dog trainer.
My passion for helping others moved me into a specialist Funding Manager role with the Blind Foundation. Then more recently, I joined Assistance Dogs New Zealand (ADNZ) as a trainer and their National Funding Manager, which gave me the opportunity to work alongside families with kids with disabilities, typically ASD and to share stories of the work of ADNZ around New Zealand.
Throughout this journey, I have also enjoyed working as a volunteer puppy raiser to help raise future service dogs for Assistance Dogs New Zealand and Guide Dogs New Zealand.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed many adults and children with a range of disabilites, live their best life through the support of service dogs.
Train
Support
Empower
What I Realised
I was amazed at the bond, companionship and friendship that develops between the client and their service dog. This bond empowers the client with the confidence to be independent and experience equal opportunities in life.
However, many children and their families don’t require the task-specific expertise of a fully trained assistance dog and I realised that therapy dogs could help.
For example, their child may have high-functioning autism (ASD) and may be able to self-manage some autistic-like symptoms, but may still need support in social situations or to aid restful sleep. Some children may require emotional support to help with the anxiety or a lack of confidence at school. Others struggle with interacting with their peers in general social settings, needing reassurance and support without fear of judgement for being different. These needs can be meet with a therapy dog.
Services
My Passion Has Become My Life’s Work
Therapy Dogs NZ
The therapy dog’s daily needs (exercise, outings, affection) motivates clients to try new experiences, overcome fears and to integrate back into their community.
Therapy Dogs NZ Solution
Therapy Dogs New Zealand was born to help people struggling with anxiety, chronic illness, medical conditions or disabilities affecting their independence and confidence.
Therapy Dogs NZ Goal
We believe the energy of Canine Therapy can help transform lives and help clients conquer challenges with the support of their faithful therapy dog.
End Of An Era
Over the past six years I trained 47 therapy dogs who are now transforming the lives of their owners in communities around New Zealand. While I have loved training the dogs and will be continuing to support their owners, I will not be training any further therapy dogs.