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
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 difficulties
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
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: Community Bank Mount Gambier and District (Bendigo Bank)
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
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
Jennifer and 'Matilda'
Jennifer and 'Matilda' help children at Newberry Park Primary School
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
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
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
Sharyn and 'Yoda'
Sharyn and 'Yoda' help children at Naracoorte 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
