Mount Gambier Dog Teams
Story Dogs acknowledges the traditional country of the Boandik People*
Lesley Okholm
Mount Gambier
Lesley is the coordinator for dog teams in the Mount Gambier area.
Janine and 'Peppa'
Janine and 'Peppa' help children at McDonald Park Primary School
Dog breed:
Australian Shepherd
Dog Sponsor: Gambier Vets
How we met:
I have always owned a dog
Great loves: Going to the beach
Favourite foods: Anything
Karen and 'Swampy'
Karen and 'Swampy' help children at Compton Primary School
About: After retiring from the entertainment industry after 4 decades, I'm living my best life as well as having fun with my dog competing in agility.
Sponsor:
Noel Barr Toyota
Dog breed: Murray River Retriever
How we met: I was looking for a suitable Story Dog and 'Swampy' was recommended to me
Great loves: Swimming in rivers and lakes, carrying teddies around, going out to cafes and on car trips
Favourite foods: Liver treats
Doesn't like: Being approached really fast - being run towards
Quirks: 'Swampy' always has something in his mouth when he's at home - whether it's a sock or teddy
Helen and 'Maggie'
Helen and 'Maggie' help children at the Suttontown 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!
Lesley and 'Frankie'
Lesley and 'Frankie' help children at Compton Primary School, Suttontown and Kongorong Primary School
About: Teacher/Principal heading into retirement. She enjoys cooking, gardening, going on long walks in the forest
Sponsor: Elders Real Estate Mount Gambier
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
Kelly and 'Rosie'
Kelly and 'Rosie' help children at Mil Lel Primary School
About: Kelly enjoys walking and going to the beach with 'Rosie', also enjoy stand-up paddle boarding and pickleball
Sponsor: Sponsor coming
Dog breed: Labradoodle
How we met: I wanted to have a buddy to walk with and company for around the house
Great loves: Everything is fun for 'Rosie', she really loves playing fetch and getting pats
Favourite foods: Everything
Doesn’t like: Not too much, she is pretty chilled
Quirks: She tends to poke me for a pat if I take too long
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
Lesley and 'Cody'
Lesley and 'Cody' help children at Penola Primary School, Penola
About: Enjoys children and reading
Sponsor: MIND Australia
Dog breed: Maltese Cross
How we met: Mother-in-law had to go into care, we adopted her
Great loves: Pats
Favourite foods: Meat
Doesn’t like: Playing with toys
Quirks: None
Jennifer and 'Matilda'
Jennifer and 'Matilda' help children at Newbery Park Primary School, Millicent
About: Jennifer is a dog breeder
Sponsor: Develop Abilities Occupational Therapy
Dog breed: Mini Schnauzer
How we met: I am a breeder of Miniature Schnauzers
Great loves: Food, squeaky toys, balls and walks on the beach
Favourite foods: Pigs ears
Doesn’t like: Cranky dogs
Quirks: She is Nana and loves to play with all the new puppies
Karen and 'Bella'
Karen and 'Bella' help children at Melaleuca Park Primary School
About: Karen is a dog trainer, loves beach walks, travelling and helping others in the community
Sponsor: Graymont Australia Ltd.
Dog breed: Australian Shepherd
How we met: Love animals, wanted a dog to care for and enjoy life with while training and learning
Great loves: Going to the beach, doing tricks and agility, playing with toys
Favourite foods: Chicken
Doesn’t like: Very loud bang sounds
Quirks: When sitting on a chair she will pick up a toy and put it behind your back on the chair to play with her
Sharyn and 'Yoda'
Sharyn and 'Yoda' help children at Naracoorte South Primary School
About: Sharyn enjoys dog training, reading, walks and spending time with her grandchildren
Sponsor: Nutrien Ag Solutions Mount Gambier
Dog breed: Collie
How we met: Previous Collie passed away. 'Yoda' was looking for a new home
Great loves: Playing fetch and tug. Going to the beach, cuddles
Favourite foods: Anything other than his dry food
Doesn’t like: Having a hydro bath
Quirks: Likes to hook your leg with his leg while having a toy in his mouth. He has a wonky tail and a mohawk
Sandy and 'Barkley'
Sandy and 'Barkley' help children at Kalangadoo Primary School, Kalangadoo
About: I enjoy spending time with my family and reading. I like helping other when I can
Sponsor: Story Dogs is looking for a Sponsor
Dog breed: Toy Cavoodle
How we met: We got him when he was 8 weeks old from a breeder in Naracoorte
Great loves: Going for walks, playing with his ball and snuggles. He loves fluffy blankets and socks
Favourite foods: Treats
Doesn’t like: Thunder and lightning
Quirks: He loves to steal socks. He will steal them right off your feet if he can
Sandra and 'Lexi'
Sandra and 'Lexi' help children at Kongorong Primary School
About: Officer Manager, Farmer, enjoys fishing, camping and family
Sponsor: Key 2 Sale Real Estate
Dog breed: Golden Retriever
How we met: Since a puppy from my husband for my 6oth Birthday
Great loves: Being patted, walks, camping beach and swimming and her Big Teddy
Favourite foods: Anything
Doesn’t like: Being left behind
Quirks: None
Adele and 'Chino'
Adele and 'Chino' help children at Moorak Primary School, Mount Gambier
About: Enjoys Netball, working in disability, studying my EN, spending time with 'Chino'
Sponsor: Community Bank Mount Gambier and District (Bendigo Bank)
Dog breed: Koolie cross kelpie
How we met: Since he was born and he still today lives with his mum
Great loves: Food, pup cups. Larry his toy, jumping, the dog park
Favourite foods: Meatballs
Doesn’t like: Thunder
Quirks: He will follow you around till you give him a cuddle
Stella and 'Lacie'
Stella and 'Lacie' help children at Glenburnie Primary School, Glenburnie
About: I'm a retired Child Health Nurse. Hobbies Toy poodle breeder and dog showing
Sponsor: Blue Lake Veterinary Clinic
Dog breed: Toy Poodle
How we met: I have always wanted a silver toy poodle with good structure to do agility with so sought out Dogs Australia Silver Toy Poodle breeders
Great loves: Walks on the beach, playing ball and meeting new people and doing tricks
Favourite foods: Freeze dried beef tripe
Doesn’t like: Not too keen on grooming feet and nails
Quirks: Likes to kiss noses
Kaitlyn and 'Owen'
Kaitlyn and 'Owen' help children at Naracoorte South Primary School
About: Kaitlyn has a background in journalism and is a keen reader. She loves books and dogs, so becoming a Story Dog Volunteer was a non-brainer
Sponsor: MIND Australia
Dog breed: English Cocker Spaniel
How we met: 'Owen' was born the morning I lost my beloved spoodle to a liver mass. 'Owen' was the only male in the litter, so it seemed meant to be
Great loves: Giving kisses and retrieving thing we don't know we lost
Favourite foods: He isn't fussy
Doesn’t like: Nothing
Quirks: None
Cynthia and 'Milla'
Cynthia and 'Milla' help children at Newbery Park Primary School, Millicent
About: I work from home as a Registered Conveyancer and 'Milla' is my best friend and companion. I train her in obedience and rally and compete in Trials with her
Sponsor: Millicent Kingston Veterinary Clinic
Dog breed: Border Collie
How we met: 'Milla' was bred for me as a show dog, after I lost my last dog
Great loves: Walks, playing ball, her toys, hanging out with me, food
Favourite foods: Sausage treats when we are training
Doesn’t like: 'Milla' doesn't like anyone (except me) wrapping their arms around her and making her feel trapped
Quirks: 'Milla' is my first "licky" dog. If she likes someone, she tends to want to give them licky kisses
Amanda and 'Ruby'
Amanda and 'Ruby' help children at Nangwarry Primary school
About: I am a wife, and mother to a little girl, farmer, company director and lover of horses and horse riding
Sponsor: Sponsor coming soon
Dog breed: Golden Retriever
How we met: 'Ruby' is our third Golden Retriever and the niece of our 2nd Golden. 'Ruby' is only 6 months older than our daughter Tessa
Great loves: Our other Goldens 'Pippa' and 'Jessie'
Favourite foods: Sliced Cheese
Doesn’t like: Swimming in the ocean
Quirks: White spots on her face from a pigment condition which is an autoimmune disease
Jodie and 'Red'
Jodie and 'Red' help children at Penola Primary School
About: Self-employed small food produce business. Enjoy gardening and animals especially dogs
Sponsor: Story Dogs is looking for a Sponsor
Dog breed: Kelpie
How we met: Rescue
Great loves: Walks, pats other dogs
Favourite foods: Warm liver, chicken, bones and cheese
Doesn’t like: Getting brushed
Quirks: Loves watching other animals on TV