Wooki was a young Kelpie X Cocker Spaniel donated to Animal Assisted Therapyafter a family breakup. He waswithCyn D. for 8 months of training,
and was then placed with Kristie in Coffs Harbour. Kristie has severe back problems and is on crutches. Wooki picks up things she drops, fetches her slip-on shoes, and removes her shoesand socks on cue.
This is particularly difficult for her to do herself as she can’t bend over very well.
Another very helpful thing Wooki does is pick up a crutch if she drops one, as it’s easy to do while using your hands for something else. Wooki won’t pick up the metal crutch directly, so each has a “zinger” attached to it – a little retracting fishing line affair with a small piece of fleece attached. He picks up the fleece and hands it up to Kristie, who can then reel in the crutch easily.
Wooki attended a number of Pets for Therapy visits during his training period. He is now classified as a “service dog,” a higher standard of training than “assistance dog.” Kristie and Wooki have passed their public access test together, so Wooki can go everywhere with Kristie.
You can learn more about this organisation at its website: http://www.therapydogs.org.au
