Hidden Volunteer 2025

Rebecca and 'Peachy' help children at Majura Primary School Watson ACT

About: Rebecca is an AFP Employee, retired vet nurse. Her interests are animals, travel, caravanning and roller skating.
Sponsor: Generously funded through a gift from the National Library of Australia
Dog breed:  Pomeranian
How we met:  Purchased as a puppy from a breeder
Great loves:  Pats, cuddles, attention
Favourite foods:  Anything
Doesn’t like: Broccoli

Quirks:   She sings along at certain tunes

Wendy and 'Gabby' help children at Riverbend Primary School

About:  Wendy is a Disability Worker

Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift in memory of Marcia

Dog breed:  Labrador

How we met:  Purchased from a breeder

Great loves: Food, going for walks and cuddles

Favourite foods:  Apples

Quirks:  'Gabby' likes to walk herself and holds her lead in her mouth

Edna and 'Lucy'

Edna and 'Lucy' help children at Terranora Public School

About:  Edna is retired

Initial funding provided by the Northern Rivers Community Foundation
Sponsor: Generously funded by Melissa Hertzberg
Dog breed:  Maltese/Silky
How we met:  Rehomed
Great loves:  Walks
Favourite Food:  Dog biscuits

Doesn't Like: Home alone
Quirks:  Early to bed

Jacqueline and 'Willow' help children at St Finbar's Primary School

About:  Jacqueline is a veterinary surgeon of 25 years
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Vicky T
Dog breed:  Groodle
How we met:  Jacqueline has always had dogs and 'Willow' came into their lives as a true blessing and part of her family 
Great loves: Peoples, cuddles, puppy playtime and mud

Favourite Foods: Anything! - except lettuce

Doesn't Like: Our kittens when they steal attention from her

Quirks:  If there is a puddle (of any size), better still if it is muddy, she will be sure to roll her whole body in it.

 Kathy and 'Ben' help children at North Dandalup Primary School.

About: Kathy was a High School Teacher, moving into Immigration Trainer/ Officer for Australian Border Force. She loves painting and drawing
Sponsor: Robyn Clarke MLA

Dog breed:  Labrador
How we met: 'Ben' was bred by Australian Border Force but was rejected at 17 months old due to him not being capable and just wanting fuss and love which he now gets

Great Loves:  Fuss, cuddles, fluffy toys, being told he is good, walks and fetching ball
Favourite foods:  Chicken and carrots (has to - he is on a diet)
Doesn’t like:  He is such a happy boy, he has never shown me anything he dislikes
Quirks:  Loves to snuggle his head in your neck and go to sleep

Trish and 'Bonnie' help children at Grovedale West Primary School

About: Trish is retired and enjoys reading, sewing and crafts
Sponsor:  Bellarine Veterinary Practice
Dog breed:  Havanese
How we met:  I bought her as a puppy after meeting another Havanese
Great loves:  Playing footy and her squeaky toys
Favourite foods:  Chicken, turkey and cheese
Doesn’t like:  She is very relaxed

Graeme and 'Koby'

 Graeme and 'Koby' help children at Newcomb Primary School

About: Graeme is retired, he enjoys golf and local football
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Rotary Club of East Geelong
Dog breed:  Golden Retriever
How we met:  Bought as a companion dog at 10 weeks from a registered breeder
Great loves:  Beach trips, off lead parks, walks
Favourite foods:  Kibble
Doesn’t like:  Being alone

Diane and 'Molly' help children at Rockingham Beach Primary School

About:  Diane is retired.  She was Registrar with Catholic Education for 40 years
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Rotary Club of Rockingham
Dog breed:  Labradoodle
How we met:  Purchased
Great loves:  Me, walks, play and people
Favourite foods:  Meat, fish and sardines
Doesn’t like:  Nothing
Quirks:  None

Nell and 'Spock'

Nell and 'Spock' help children at Frank Partridge VC Primary School

About: Nell is a cattle farmer and writer
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Hardie Family
Dog breed:  Border Collie
How we met:  Bought him as a working dog
Great loves:  Rounding up cattle and giving cuddles, splashing in the dam
Favourite foods:  Cheese
Doesn’t like:  Thunder
Quirks:  Likes to sing (howl) first thing in the morning

Lenna and her dog 'Bear' help children at Pottsville Beach Public School.

About: Lenna is retired from general nursing

Sponsor: Generously funded through a gift from the Rotary Club Mt Warning AM

Dog breed: Lhasa Apso
How we met: Bear came to me via the Casino pound, when he was 14 months old

Great loves: Bear loves the beach. We walk from Ocean Shores to Brunswick twice daily.

Favorite foods: BBQ Chicken
Doesn't like: Hides when he sees the scissors to give him a trim

Betty and 'Clyde' help children at Farrer Primary School

About: Betty is a retired Accountant who enjoys endurance cycling and has had Golden Retrievers for over 40 years
Sponsor: Earth Class Civil
Dog breed:  Golden Retriever
How we met:  First Golden Retriever was a 21st Birthday present from my parents. Always had dogs, great companions.
Great loves:  Balls - he is good at finding golf balls on the course near where we live.
Favourite foods:  Anything

Doesn't like:  Being outside if his family are inside
Quirks:  He does a little dance at meal times

Hannah and 'Finn'

Hannah and 'Finn' help children at Elanora State School

About:  Hannah is an IT student, enjoys dogs, embroidery, drawing
Sponsor:  Crocodile Marketing
Dog breed:  Australian Shepherd
How we met:  Lovely dog, lovely life
Great loves:  His plush koala, pets of any kind, treats, belly rubs
Favourite foods:  Bananas
Doesn’t like:  Salad (yuk!)
Quirks:  Funny faces, loves cardboard boxes

Kyra and 'Geordie'

Kyra and 'Geordie' help children at Springfield Primary School

About: Kyra is a Library Officer and loves reading

Initial Funding provided by the Westfield Local Hero's program
Sponsor:  Friends of 'Geordie'
Dog breed:  Labradoodle
How we met:  'Geordie' started as a foster dog whose mum was rescued from a puppy farm. She was born at the RSPCA but fostered.  Once we could adopt we jumped at the chance, we just love him
Great loves:  Food, hugs and walks
Favourite foods:  OMG ... everything
Doesn’t like:  Other big dogs
Quirks:  He covers his face when listening to stories using lots of expressions

Michelle and 'Boomer' help children at St James Catholic Primary School Brighton

About:  She is a mum of 3, often enjoying a coffee and playing tennis
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Vicky T
Dog breed:  Golden Retriever
How we met:  Always grown up with dogs, they are an important part of our family
Great loves:  Playing, eating, cuddles and swimming
Favourite foods:  Anything apart from their dry food

Doesn't Like: Bananas
Quirks:  Sneaks onto the bed when the family is asleep

Amy and 'Wilma'

Amy  and 'Wilma' help children at Woombye State School, Woombye

About:  Amy is a Teacher Aide and dog rescue coordinator
Sponsor:  Artic Mist
Dog breed:  Great Dane
How we met:  With Great Dane rescue she came into care at 6 months. She stole my heart and kept her
Great loves:  Sleep and car rides
Favourite foods:  Roast chicken
Doesn’t like:  Waking up too early

Quirks: Talking

Sharon and 'Lakota' help children at Glengarry Primary School

About:  Sharon enjoys gardening and swimming 
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from Joanna
Dog breed:  German Shepherd
How we met:  Bought from a NSW breeder
Great loves:  Kids, animals, cuddles and lots of love
Favourite foods:  Chicken
Doesn’t like:  Swimming pools
Quirks:  Shaking hands

 Rhonda and 'Luca' help children at St Joseph's Primary School

About:  Rhonda enjoys reading and writing
Sponsor:  Pets Domain

Initial funding provided by Northern Rivers Community Fund.
Dog breed:  Poodle/ Golden Retriever
How we met:  'Luca' is a hearing assistance dog
Great loves:  Belly rubs
Favourite foods:  Treats
Doesn’t like:  Being picked up

Quirks: Loves tennis balls

Iain and 'Angus'

Iain and Angus help children at Coolangatta State School

About:  Retired Security Guard, enjoys surfing, snow skiing and dog walking
Sponsor:  Rotary Club Currumbin Coolangatta & Tweed
Dog breed:  English Staffordshire Terrier
How we met:  Bought from a breeder
Great loves:  Swimming and morning walks
Favourite foods:  Turkey
Doesn’t like:  Nothing
Quirks:  None

Lyn and 'ChaCha' help children in Mornington Peninsula Westernport area

About: Social Media Coordinator, enjoys reading True Crime
Sponsor: Westernport Veterinary Clinics
Dog breed:  Golden Labrador
How we met:  Given to me by a breeder who was really happy to know she was going to be a Story Dog
Great loves:  Her adoptive sister 'Sally'
Favourite foods:  Chips as a treat, particularly KFC
Doesn’t like:  Being separated from me

Quirks:  Following me everywhere

Georgina and 'Winston' help children at Grovely State School.

About:  Georgina loves the idea of helping children to enjoy reading
Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Golden Valley Keperra Lions Club
Dog breed:  Pug
How we met:  Retirement gift from my work, when he was 6 weeks old
Great loves:  Balls and food
Favourite foods:  Everything

Priyanka and 'Bailey' will help children at Carnegie Primary School

About: Priyanka is a Cake Artist, she is an enthusiastic volunteer and mum of 3 including 'Bailey'
Sponsor:  Caulfield Veterinary Hospital
Dog breed:  Stag Hound x Labrador
How we met:  Adopted though a FB post. We were on a wait list to meet her, so happy that we did. She is the sweetest big girl.
Great loves:  Treats, swimming, playing fetch, belly rubs and camping
Favourite foods:  Almost everything
Doesn’t like:  Baths! So funny as she is a true water dog otherwise.
Quirks:  She thinks she is the perfect size to sit on your lap. She is scared of cats.

Jo and 'Stewie'

Jo and 'Stewie help children at Peachester State School

About: Jo is a Teacher, photo taker, gardener and dog lover
Sponsor:  Story Dogs is looking for a sponsor
Dog breed:  Sausage Cross Cavalier
How we met:  Since a puppy

Great loves:  Food, treats, walks, cuddles and me
Favourite foods: Liver and milk
Doesn’t like:  Rain, water
Quirks:  waits on his royal chair until his dinner is served

Joan and 'Benji' help children at Meringandan State School.

About: Joan is retired, always interested in volunteering and helping people
Sponsor: Heritage Bank Toowoomba
Dog breed:  Portuguese Water Dog
How we met:  Grandson changes jobs and it was his dog. I have had him for 2 years
Great loves:  Children
Favourite foods:  Anything
Doesn’t like:  Loud noises, vacuum cleaner

Jenny and 'Lily' help children at Castletown Primary School

About:  Jenny enjoys the beach, travel and camping
Sponsor:  Story Dogs needs a sponsor
Dog breed:  Corgi Cross
How we met:  Our family wanted to have a dog that needed to be rescued from the pound
Great loves:  Beach walks, lots of cuddles, meeting new people
Favourite foods:  Dried snacks
Doesn’t like:  Being left out and not coming with us
Quirks:  Loves rolling and having her belly scratched by anyone!!! Loves sunbathing

Gillian and 'Milo' help children at Saltwater P-9 College, Point Cook

About:  Gillian is a Veterinary Nurse, she loves gardening, walking and spending time with her family

Sponsor:  Generously funded through a gift from the Rotary Club of Werribee

Dog breed:  Jack Russell

How we met:  We adopted 'Milo' when he was four years old and we have loved him ever since

Great loves:  Basketball, chicken treats, walks and the beach

Favourite foods:  Chicken

Doesn’t like:  He doesn't like it when the birds invade his yard

Quirks:  He likes to sit on your feet

Tina and 'Shandy' help children at St Gerard Majella School

About:  Tina loves animals of all kind
Sponsor: Generously funded through a gift from the Lions Club of Cairns

Dog breed:  White Shepherd cross
How we met:  Went to the 'Fur ever' animal rescue day - she chose me.  She is the best.
Great loves:  Walks, chasing balls and playing
Favourite foods:  Everything
Doesn’t like:  Not much
Quirks:  Sitting on your knee

Lisa and 'Clifford' help children at Holy Cross Catholic School.

About: Customer service agent for QANTAS
Sponsor: Generously funded through a gift from the Lions Club of Cairns
Dog breed:  Great Dane Cross
How we met:  'Clifford' was a 4 month old rescue puppy from NQAR and was a surprise
Great loves:  The beach, kids, other dogs, playing and running
Favourite foods:  Treats and vegemite toast
Doesn’t like:  Thunder and lightning