Origin:
The Golden Retriever was developed in the late 1800s in the Scottish Highlands. The breed is the result of crossbreeding a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, Bloodhound, Irish Setter, and the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. It was originally developed by Lord Tweedmouth and was first known as the Golden Flat-Coat. The name was changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.
Purpose:
The Golden Retriever was originally bred as a gun and water retrieving dog to assist hunters in retrieving waterfowl.
Today, they are widely used as exceptional assistance dogs in many areas to support humans. They are also highly effective working dogs, particularly in tracking and narcotics detection.
Coat Care:
The stunning double coat of the Golden Retriever requires daily brushing to prevent matting and to remove any sticks or debris. Their dense undercoat benefits from a firm brush, especially during shedding seasons. Particular attention should be paid to the ears and the backs of the legs to avoid tangles.
They only need to be bathed when necessary. As a water-loving breed, they will seize any opportunity to swim, so it's important to ensure their coat is thoroughly dried after water play to prevent hotspots.
Health & Temperament:
The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular companion breeds in the world—and for good reason! This lovable and cheerful breed is hard not to adore. When well socialised and raised with consistent boundaries, Golden Retrievers are affectionate with everyone—from adults and children to other dogs, cats, and small household pets.
They thrive on being part of the family and enjoy daily walks. Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation, they can become bored and potentially destructive. They also love to play fetch endlessly!
Golden Retrievers are prone to weight gain, so their diet and exercise routines must be managed carefully.
​Though incredibly loving, they also make excellent watchdogs and will alert their families to any perceived threats.
Unfortunately, the breed is prone to certain health issues, especially cancer—most notably mast cell tumours. It’s essential to research the health history of breeding parents before purchasing a puppy. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial for early detection of health concerns. Other conditions to be aware of include hip dysplasia, heart problems, eye defects, and skin allergies.
The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10–12 years.

We are excited to share, on this Therapy Dog Thursday Blog, an update on our beautiful assistance dog Frankie and her special young lady Abigail.
For those new to this space, Frankie is a very specially trained assistance dog that our business and amazing Doggy Doaters and Customers helped to bring into Abi’s life, to help her live her best life, almost 3 years ago.
Abi has a very rare condition called Auts2 and life can be a bit tricky for her.  Recently she has had to visit with a number of new doctors for the different medical challenges she faces.
We are excited to share with you how amazing these doctors have been to allow Frankie to attend these appointments.  One of the key roles for Frankie is to provide Abi with a calm and reassuring touch point when things in her life are different or difficult.
As you can imagine seeing new doctors, in unfamiliar surroundings, can be difficult for many, but especially for Abi.  With Frankie by her side Abi was able to attend these appointments and by all reports (thanks Sarah – Abi’s mum) was able to work with the doctors to get them what they needed.
For many years guide dogs have really been the only service dogs allowed in medical rooms.  It’s great that now the support these amazingly well trained dogs provide is being accepted by the wider medical community.

Frankie was trained by Assistance Dogs Australia – they do a great job training all kinds of dogs for all kinds of special needs.  If you want more information or would like to support them please visit https://www.assistancedogs.org.au/ 

The variety of options in dog food in Australia has grown exponentially in the last 10 years. Standing in the dog food aisle can be very overwhelming, so let's break down how to understand what is in your dog's food to help you make the best choice for your pooch and their diet.  

-Should your pet have an intolerance, allergy or should you be working on an elimination diet, it's important to know that what you are buying, doesn't contain that meat or ingredient.
Just because the front of a packaging is labelled with only one meat, doesn't mean other meats or by-products are not included. This is when you need to refer to the ingredients list (usually on the rear or side packaging). Be sure to go through the entire list to rule out the ingredients that you need to. 
For example, the front of the packaging may indicate the flavour is 'Chicken' however on the rear you may find the ingredients include chicken, chicken by products, beef, beef by products. 
If your pet has severe allergies, you should be sticking to single protein options or going on the advice of your vet for suitable foods. 

Grains and cereals can be used in some pet foods, they can provide carbohydrates and fibre but can also be overused as cheaper filler options.
For those dogs who are sensitive to grains or gluten, it's important to refer to the ingredients list to know what is in the food you are buying and also how much is in it.
The ingredients list is written in descending order of predominance by weight, with the greatest amount shown first.
Should a grain or cereal be shown in the start of an ingredients list, this is a good indicator of a lower quality, unbalanced food that would require extras be added to offer a complete and balanced diet. 

You will often come across listings in your pet food ingredients that mention by-products. By-products are the parts of an animal that aren't considered part of the 'primary' meat portion of the animal and are the items that are listed as 'not suitable for human consumption'. These are often organs, bones and trimmings off parts of the meat.
By-products can be very nutritious for a dog and can hold a lot of protein, vitamins and minerals, providing they are in the diet in a balanced way (ie: not just a lot of fatty tissue and no organ). When you consider what a natural diet for a dog in the wild would be, they digest every part of an animal that they hunt so a balanced diet for a dog should include these parts as well. 

Meat meal is a product used in animal foods to keep costs low and can result in a low quality food that is low in moisture and nutrients.
Meat meal is made by cooking animal meat and parts (this can include anything from blood, hoof, hair and manure) at a very high temperature (this is where nutrients can be lost) then drying it out to form a meal/powder type substance. 

Two examples below show one meat shown on front of packaging however when viewing ingredients list on the back, you can see other meats may be used. This could be a risk to any dogs with food allergies to certain meats. 

The example below shows when whole meats/fish are used as the primary and main ingredient in dry food as well as a detailed breakdown of all other ingredients. 

It's best to be as well know ledged as possible when it comes to understanding what is in your dog's food, especially if your dog suffers from any allergies or sensitivities. If you have any questions in regards to your dog's diet or if you are looking for other options, it's best to discuss this with your vet, should you be unsure. 

Run by MackIllop Family Services, Paw Pals works to provide support workers and therapy dogs to students who face any difficulties to learning. Paw Pals aims to help improve confidence, behaviour and self-regulation for students who require the support.
Amazingly, with the support of the community, Paw Pals have been able to help over 1300 kids, working across Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
The demand for their support continues and their program is continuing to grow, enabling them to help more and more students every day. Due to this demand, the appeal to the community for donations and support is always there.

Lara Shannon, a Paw Pals Ambassador shares the impact the dogs have on the students.


“Children respond to a compassionate wet nose. The program is trauma-informed and much more than bringing a dog to school, but if you’ve ever melted when looking at a pair of soft brown eyes, you will understand why Paw Pals works.
“Dogs have an innate sense of responding to human emotion, body language and needs. When children meet MacKillop’s Paw Pals, it’s the start of getting back in touch with their education.”

Paw Pals offer two services, school group sessions which allow up to 8 students at a time in a session to 1 on 1 sessions, which can be taken anywhere the student feels comfortable.

The results from Paw Pals speak for themselves and parents and children involved cannot speak highly enough of the program, with many saying the confidence and attendance records of their children improving greatly.
 

​Origin:
The Bernese Mountain Dog originates from the Swiss Mountains and is an ancient breed, with 18th century paintings showing dogs that appear very similar to the BMD. They are named after the area in Switzerland, the canton of Bern.
 
Purpose:
The BMD was bred as a working and companion dog for farmers. Their lines of work included pulling carts as well as driving cattle. The breed excels in herding, guarding and search and rescue work.

Coat care:
The thick double coat of the BMD requires daily brushing, with extra work needed during shedding. The breed is a seasonal shedder however during this time will drop a lot of fur. Being bred to work in the Swiss Mountain, they are very much equipped for the cold weather, with a longer outer coat and woolly warm undercoat.


Health & Temperament:
These beautiful giants are a perfect companion and family dog. The BMD is a loving and happy dog that are very intelligent and easy to train. They are confident and alert and get along well with other animals is well socialised from a young age.
Despite their size, they are a very active breed, requiring a decent daily walk. They enjoy a large outdoor space for daily access to get out and run. With the right physical and mental stimulation, they are also happy to lounge around inside, lapping up plenty of cuddles and attention and being close with their family.
Sadly, the average life span has decreased for the breed over the last 10 years, with poor breeding practices included in some of the claims for this. Currently, the average lifespan of the BMD is only 6 -8 with cancer being a very large cause of death within the breed. This is something that many BMD groups have been studying and looking into to reduce this. They are certainly a breed that requires thorough health checks of their parents breeding blood lines. 

Origin:
The Greyhound is an ancient breed with carvings of them depicted in Egyptian tombs dating back as far as 2900 BC.
It is believed that the breed has descended from the Arabian Sloughi and over time has been traded and moved around the world from England to America and even used by Spanish explorers. They were officially recognised in America in 1885.   
The origin of their name remains unknown however it is believed it comes from the Old English words of ‘grei’ and ‘hundr’ which mean ‘dog’ and ‘hunter’.  
 
Purpose:
The Greyhound was bred for hunting. Being the fastest breed in the world, catching prey was never a challenge for them. Over history they have been used for hunting all types of animals from rabbits and hare to fox, deer and wild boar. Along with their speed, they also have fantastic eye sight, making them the perfect hunter.
As of today, Greyhounds are most popular for racing dogs. There are now two accepted line of breeding amount the breed, show line and racing line. The show lines meet the breeding standard and are suitable for entering the show ring with the racing line be bred purely to be the fastest on the track.

Coat care:
Grooming for this shorthaired breed is almost non-existent. They can be brushed as needed especially during times of shedding and really don’t require to be bathed. It is better for their skin to avoid bathing as much as possible to avoid dry skin and allow their natural oils to protect their skin and coat.


Health & Temperament:
Contrary to everything we know about the Greyhound, pet Greyhounds are very much a relaxed and easy going dog. They enjoy a daily walk and should only ever be let off leash in a safe and very secure space. Chasing small animals is in their blood so caution should always be taken around smaller animals. Aside from this, they are, in general, a very easy breed to keep.
Once their exercise needs are met, the Greyhound will happily lounge around the house (on the couch is preferred) and make great companions for the elderly. Sadly, many Greyhounds from the racing industry, when no longer winning races, are destroyed. Thankfully there are a number of Greyhound Rescue and Rehoming groups that help to rehome these dogs. Even if they have been raised as racing dogs, they still make amazing family pets and adjust well and easily to a home lifestyle with time and love. They enjoy the company of others dogs and will love a good play with other breeds.
They are a breed that is prone to bloat so it’s important all Greyhound owners are well educated on this and take appropriate precautions around meal and exercise times. You can read more on bloat HERE.  They live anywhere between 10 – 12 years on average. 

Have you ever wondered what an assistance dog does when they are off duty? Solo is happy to fill you in! 

As we arrive home and walk in the door, Solo follows me into my office to take off his uniform. He heels, we take off his harness and then collar is removed—oh sweet bliss after a big day at work! Now, ‘dog mode’ kicks in: firstly, food. Thirty seconds later, now it’s playtime as he races around and says g’day to my wife and son with a trusty Kong stick in his mouth.

Later, it’s cuddle time. As I recline in my chair, he curls up between my legs for some good one-on-one time before bed. Solo’s favourite thing to do when I’m not working is to simply snuggle, he’s such a softy and I love that about him so much.

Weekends and daytime at home, he loves to play and follow people around—he’s such a sticky beak, always needing to know what everyone’s up to!

But he always makes sure to keep a watchful eye on me. So much more than a Guide Dog or mobility tool, Solo is a true family member.”
​
– Tony, Guide Dog Handler

We all know the amazing work that the team at Guide Dogs Australia do.
Want to know more or how you can help? Support for groups such as Guide Dogs Australia is not just limited to donations. You can be involved in being a puppy raiser or even volunteer your time. You can find out more ways you can get involved HERE! 

Has the vet advised that it's time to put Fido on a diet? Do you feel guilty scaling back their meal sizes or taking away the treats? 
We all know what it's like when they look at you with those big brown eyes, just begging for a little more food!
Our tips below are some easy changes you can make to keep your pooch and vet happy whilst bringing their waist line back! 

ASDOG Jade has been an amazing companion and helper for Sheree for the last 6 years. Here is Jade's interview with ASDOG to share with everyone the real work an Assistance Dog does! 

Editor: Jade, you must be a great help for Sheree. What sorts of things do you do for her?
Jade: I do heaps; I’m very clever you know! I open and shut the doors, drawers and the fridge, I put things away and retrieve things, I take Mum’s jackets and shoes off, pick things up that she drops, put the toilet seat up and down, open and close the blinds, turn lights and the water fountain on and off, take the phone to Mum…

Editor: Wow! You are clever. What about house work, do you help with that?
Jade: Oh yes, I forgot that. I take the washing off the airer, put Mum’s things away where she tells me, tidy my toys up, pick up my old bones in the backyard, put things in the bin, take my dinner bowl to the sink…

Editor: And when you go out?
Jade: Yep, I’m helpful everywhere. I help with doors, I take the queue ticket out of the machine at the bank, I pass Mum things from shop shelves and pass Mum’s credit card from the counter back to her…

Editor: Which job do you think is the most important to Sheree?
Jade: Mum says that when I pick things up that she drops like the door key or mobile phone it makes her feel safe.

Editor: That’s fantastic. You must get a bit tired of working sometimes though.
Jade: Are you kidding? I’m given a treat every time I help out. I could work all day; in fact if you have a dog biscuit I could help you now. Would you like your jacket taken off? No, what about your shoes? Perhaps you’d like me to put your mobile phone on the table…?

Editor: Ah… I’m okay for now. Did you have to learn anything new after you moved in with Sheree?
Jade: Yes, funny you should ask that, I thought I had passed graduation! Mum needed a few things that weren’t on the curriculum yet. It wasn’t a problem for a special dog like me, though. I quickly learned and passed the blinds, toilet seat and ticket machine tests.

Editor: How do you know when Sheree needs your help?
Jade: She either tells me with a known cue, points to something like a drawer handle or positions herself in a familiar spot like next to the fridge door.

Editor: Can you tell me about where you and Sheree go in an average week?
Jade: Well, we go to work five days a week to the office and two hospitals. On the weekends we have lunch with Mum’s friends and go to the lake, the beach and different parks. The lake is my favourite place; I loooove swimming. We also go shopping every week or so. Mum lets me pick a new toy sometimes. I only buy the ones that squeak, they’re the most fun!

Editor: What a busy week. What happens on a typical workday?
Jade: After breakfast we have a run and a sniff in the park. I don’t have my jacket on then so I get to play with my friends. I like Baxter, Lilly and Monty the best because they’re big like me. I get dressed in my jacket and we catch a taxi to work. I sleep on my bed next to Mum’s desk or go out to the lawn if I need a break and then we go for a run at lunchtime. Another taxi takes us to the hospital sometimes so Mum can see some clients or attend a meeting and we go home at about 5 p.m. Our friend Paul drives the taxi home and he plays with me after I get changed out of my jacket.

Editor: What jobs are you required to do at work?
Jade: I retrieve printed pages from the photocopier, fetch the air conditioner remote from the wall bracket, put things in the bin, open and shut doors, pick up anything that Mum drops, take her jacket off if she gets hot. Occasionally I have to demonstrate my skills for Mum’s clients who have a spinal cord injury. They say I’m more intelligent than their children sometimes!

Editor: You’re so busy! Are you given plenty of play times?
Jade: Play times are cool! I only wear my jacket when I’m in a public place where pet dogs wouldn’t be allowed to go. Every day I get to run free in off leash areas and play, sniff, swim… it’s a great life you know!

Editor: It Certainly sounds like It! Who looks after your feeding, brushing and washing?
Jade: Mum gets my food ready and I gently take the bowl off her lap. I get brushed by Mum with the special brush that she straps to her hand. And washing… aghhh… Mum’s carer washes me in the shower. They think I run around excitedly after a shower because I feel fresh. What a myth; I’m just so ecstatic that the chore is finally over!

Editor: Where do you sleep at home?
Jade: My white leather chaise is near Mum’s bed. I sleep on my back with my head on my cushion and snuggle against my cosy purple blanket. Mum’s friends laugh and they’ve all taken photos of me. I don’t know why.

Editor: Laugh? How odd! Have you ever been on holidays?
Jade: That’s when you don’t come home at night time, right? Well, er… I don’t like to boast but I have frequent flyer points you know. I’ve been on planes to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bundaberg Adelaide, Coffs Harbour and Melbourne. I get to ride in the plane with Mum; I sit on the floor next to her. Every couple of months Mum and I catch the train to the Blue Mountains and spend the weekend at Nanna and Grandad’s place. That’s the best fun. They live on a big bush property and I get to run and swim in the dams to my heart’s delight!

Editor: You are well travelled. Have you been everywhere with Sheree?
Jade: No, I had to stay at home once when Mum and her niece went to the zoo. It’s a designated quarantine area and no animals are allowed to go there, not even Guide Dogs and Assistance Dogs. It’s okay though because I got to chew a huge bone at home.

Editor: It must be hard to do the right thing all the time. Have you ever done anything wrong?
Jade: Ha ha ha… listen to this. I ate a whole sponge cake once… as quick as I could… at Nanna’s house! Everybody laughed at how silly they were for putting it on the footstool and then racing out onto the back deck when something caught their attention. Phew!!

Editor: What are your favourite things?
Jade: Umm… breakfast, working for food, dinner, bones, swimming, my friends, rolling on my back, exploring, did I say food?, Nanna and Grandad, playing, taxi rides, carers, running and just going out anywhere. Oh did I say food, because I think that’s my very favourite thing.

Editor: I know how you feel! Finally, do you think Sheree realises just how special
you are?
Jade: Oh definitely, she tells me how beautiful and clever I am all the time.