Mount Gambier Dog Teams

Janine and 'Kiri' and 'Peppa'

Janine and 'Kiri' (left) and 'Peppa' (right) help children at McDonald Park Primary School

Dog breed:  Australian Shepperd

Dog Sponsor:  Gambier Vets

How we met:  I have always owned a dog

Great loves: Going to the beach

Favourite foods:  Anything

Karen and 'Jesse James'

Karen and 'Jesse James' help children at McDonald Park Primary School

About:  After retiring from the entertainment industry after 4 decades, I'm living my best life
Sponsor:  Noel Barr Toyota
Dog breed:  Border Collie
How we met:  Have always had a dog, they are a family member
Great loves:  Going out, toys, food, frisbee
Favourite foods:  Anything

Doesn't like: Changes to routine

Quirks: None

Helen and 'Maggie'

Helen and 'Maggie' help children at the Melaleuca Park Primary School

About:  Helen is retired.  She previously worked as a Mental Health Professional and her interests in the past were working with children who experienced difficulties in literacy
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Tammie Scott
Dog breed:  Border Collie
How we met:  In 2018 I became a widow which was an extremely difficult time. My whole world became much brighter with the arrival of 'Miss Maggie'.  'Maggie' became my therapy dog and helped our family adjust.
Great loves:  She has started to learn agility and gets very excited going through tunnels and over jumps
Favourite foods:  Sardines in olive oil
Doesn’t like:  Thunder
Quirks:  She is very intelligent and knows what I want her to do even before I tell her!

Helen and 'Ace'

Helen and 'Ace' help children at Melaleuca Park Primary School

About:  Helen volunteered with Therapy Dogs at Mount Gambier Hospital
Sponsor: Sponsored by MIND Australia
Dog breed:  Kelpie
How we met:  
Great loves:  People and food
Favourite foods:  Anything

Lindy and 'Ellie'

Lindy, 'Ellie' and 'Lacey' help children at Suttontown Primary School

About:  Lindy is a Dog Obedience Instructor and works as a Taxi driver
Sponsor:  RobertOster.COM
Dog breed:  'Ellie' Australian Cattle Dog, 'Lacey' Golden Retriever
How we met:  'Ellie' is a rescue dog.  Always had dogs
Great loves:  Ball, sleeping on bed and treats
Favourite foods:  Home made treats

Doesn't Like: Storms and loud noises
Quirks: 'Ellie' barks for ball games at a certain time. 'Lacey', when it's feed time, runs around in circles with a big smile on her face

Diane and 'Lexi'

Diane and 'Lexi' help children at Suttontown Primary School

About:  Diane enjoys volunteering in the community and loves to read
Sponsor:  This team is generously funded through a gift from Lions Club Gambier City
Dog breed:  Labrador
How we met:  Found her when she was 8 weeks old.
Great loves:  People and Obedience trials and jumping competitions.  She is a very social dog and loves being around people
Favourite foods:  Anything

Sue and 'Porsha'

Sue and 'Porsha' help children at Moorak Primary School

About: I work in aged care. Have had dogs all my life
Sponsor:  Key2Sale
Dog breed:  German Shepherd
How we met:  Needed a dog after the loss of a loved one.
Great loves:  Me, family, food, people and children
Favourite foods:  Chicken and treats

Doesn't like:  People yelling

Quirks:  She likes to talk

Olivia and 'Maisy'

Olivia and 'Maisy' help children at Newberry Park Primary School

About:  Olivia works in Local Government, she is interested in supporting children with literacy
Sponsor:  Mind
Dog breed:  English Cocker Spaniel
How we met:  Purchased as a puppy from a registered micro breeder
Great loves:  Balls, squishy toys, birds, running, sleeping and cuddles
Favourite foods:  Everything

Doesn't like: Nothing

Quirks: Crazy sleeping positions

Jess and 'Bell'

Jess and 'Bell' help children at Moorak Primary School

About:  Final year Primary School Uni Student (soon to be Teacher)
Sponsor:  Elders Real Estate Mount Gambier
Dog breed:  Papillon
How we met:  I am a ANKC dog breeder and bred 'Bell' myself
Great loves:  Balls, squeaky toys, beach
Favourite foods:  Soft treats

Doesn't like:  Long car rides

Quirks:  She can jump very high and can be very talkative

Lesley and 'Frankie'

Lesley and 'Frankie' will help children in the Mt Gambier area

About: Teacher/Principal heading into retirement. She enjoys cooking, gardening, going on long walks in the forest
Sponsor:  Dr Anne Johnson AM
Dog breed:  Spoodle
How we met:  As a puppy
Great loves:  Pull toys, balls, frisbee, puddles
Favourite foods:  Dog sausage, grated cheese

Doesn't like:  Animals on TV

Quirks:  He is ball-obsessed so he will try to find every ball that is around