Newcastle Hunter Dog Teams
Story Dogs acknowledges the traditional country of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples*
Leonie McGlynn
Newcastle Hunter
Leonie is the coordinator for Dog Teams in the Newcastle Hunter area.
Leonie and 'Ted'
Leonie and 'Ted' help children at St Patrick's Primary Scholl, Swansea
About: Leonie is a retired Registered Nurse and loves spending time with her grandchildren
Sponsor: Rutlands Australian Cobberdog
Dog breed: Australian Cobberdog
How we met: We are a Guardian Family for Misty Creek Rose Australian Cobberdogs who is a very good friend of ours
Great loves: People, playing with other dogs, cuddles and just being with us
Favourite foods: Not really a foodie
Gabby and 'Koa'
Gabby and 'Koa' help children at Eleebana Primary School.
About: Gabby is retired. She previously worked for Manly/ Federal State Government and loves to read.
Sponsor: Bec's Hair Co
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: Got him as a pup
Great loves: Walks, being with people, socialising, his food
Favourite foods: Treats
Doesn’t like: Being left alone which doesn't happen often.
Quirks: He stops traffic. Big Teddy Bear. He forgets he is so big, he thinks he's little!
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Gabby and 'Koa'
Gabby and 'Koa' help children at Belmont Primary School.
About: Gabby is retired. She previously worked for Manly/ Federal State Government and loves to read.
Sponsor: Ballingers Financial
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: Got him as a pup
Great loves: Walks, being with people, socialising, his food
Favourite foods: Treats
Doesn’t like: Being left alone which doesn't happen often.
Quirks: He stops traffic. Big Teddy Bear. He forgets he is so big, he thinks he's little!
Barb and 'Coco'
Barb and 'Coco' help children at St Therese's New Lambton
About: Barb is retired
Sponsor: Neuro Alliance
Dog breed: Australian Labradoodle
How we met: 'Coco' has been part of our family since she was eight weeks old
Great loves: Food, play and snuggles
Favourite foods: Chicken and salmon
Mel and 'Willow'
Mel and 'Willow' help children at Cardiff South Primary School
About: Mel is a Beauty Therapist. She enjoys hockey and animals
Sponsor: Petstock
Dog breed: Border Collie
How we met: Purchased at 8 weeks old
Great loves: Swimming and chew toys
Favourite foods: Roast Chicken
Quirks: Silent barks
Karen and 'Dougie'
Karen and 'Dougie' help children at Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach
About: Karen is a Veterinarian and loves all animals, especially dogs
Sponsor: Merewether Veterinary Hospital
Dog breed: Labrador
How we met: Since a puppy, always loved Labradors
Great loves: Attention from people, play with other dogs, water and food
Favourite foods: Everything, though did reject a green bean once!
Doesn't like:
When there is no one to play with at the park
Quirks: He loves to squeeze up close and flop onto his back for belly rubs
Teigan and 'Ginny'
Teigan and 'Ginny' help children at St James Primary School, Kotara
About: Teigan is a Speech Pathologist. She has two children, loves the beach, coffee, reading and netball.
Sponsor: Aussie Pooch
Dog breed: Golden Retriever
How we met: A long-time obsession with Golden Retrievers, lots of research and a little bit of luck
Great loves: Sleepy snuggles, walking at the beach
Favourite foods: Chicken, cheese,
sardines
Doesn't like:
Whirlybirds, skip bins
Quirks: Rolling in dirty puddles. Loves to listen to Taylor Swift while we are out.
Hollie and 'Coco'
Hollie and 'Coco' help children at St Phillip's Primary School, Waratah
About: After a career in PR and Marketing my love for animals and desire for a family life led me to establishing Cornerstone Groodles. I am excited to be partnering with Story Dogs.
Sponsor: Cornerstone Groodles
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: 'Coco' is one of our beautiful puppies from our original girl 'Millie'
Great loves: Cuddles, sleeping by the fire, cheese
Favourite Food: Cheese and a big bone
Doesn't like:
Being left alone when we go on a walk
Quirks: She loves to sit and watch the fire in our family room
Anna and 'Shiloh'
Anna and 'Shiloh' help children at New Lambton South Public School
About: I retired to spend quality time with my two teenage children. I love travelling, hiking, reading and the beach.
Sponsor: Ballingers Financial Planning
Dog breed: Red Fox Labrador Retriever
How we met: Our second Labrador from an assistance dog breeder in Coffs Harbour. The perfect family dog to complete our family unit.
Great loves: Spending time with us, the ocean, her ball and of course food
Favourite foods: Will eat anything
Doesn’t like: Being alone
Quirks: She Mexican waves her eyebrows when listening intently
Cindy and 'Yogi'
Cindy and 'Yogi' help children at St Aloysius Primary School, Chisholm
About: Cindy loves looking after her grandchildren. She is recently retired after working as a Registered Nurse, loves children and dogs.
Sponsor: Daracon Group
Dog breed: Labrador
How we met: I was retiring and have wanted a labrador for a good while, so I thought I would have the time needed to train him properly.
Great loves: Water, food and people
Favourite foods: Anything
Doesn’t like: Being outside when it's hot
Quirks: None
Deb and 'Max'
Deb and 'Max' help children at Kahiba Public School
About: Deb was a Librarian for over 30 years, UTS and UON, where she developed information literacy programs. She enjoys creative arts and bushwalking.
Sponsor: Story Dogs is looking for a Sponsor
Dog breed: Foxie Cattle Dog
How we met: My daughter got 'Max' but has been in Canada for 2 years and he is more the family dog now
Great loves: Tummy tickles and treats
Favourite foods: Everything
Doesn’t like: Bath time
Jarrod and 'JJ'
Jarrod and 'JJ' will help children at Pelican Flat Public School, Pelican
About: Jarrod enjoys swimming, jogging, playing water polo and taking 'JJ' and his sister 'Fidah' to the beach
Sponsor: Blacksmiths Family Meats
Dog breed: Labrador
How we met: I was looking for companionship and we have been together since he was 10 weeks old
Great loves: People, receiving pats, swimming at the beach and jogs ... yes, that's correct, a Labrador who loves jogging
Favourite foods: Anything, liver jerky treats
Doesn’t like: Not being able to swim every day
Quirks: He loves resting his head on people's crutches
Vanessa and 'Isha'
Vanessa and 'Isha' help children at St Joseph's School, Charlestown
About: I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends. As a family we love to travel and have new adventures.
Sponsor: Ballingers Financial Planning
Dog breed: Labradoodle
How we met: After the loss of our Labrador 'Finn' some years back, our family wanted another furry family member to join our family
Great loves: Walks and playing
Favourite foods: Sausages
Doesn’t like: Storms
Quirks: None
Lyn and 'Ruby'
Lyn and 'Ruby' help children at St Joseph's School, Charlestown
About: Lyn enjoys Dog obedience, cake making and quilting
Sponsor: Ballingers Financial Planning
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: We bought 'Ruby' during Covid
Great loves: Her family, children, people, running and walks
Favourite foods: Chicken
Doesn’t like: Storms
Nina and 'Audrey'
Nina and 'Audrey' help children at St Joseph's School, Charlestown
About: Mother of two wonderful boys and loves dogs
Sponsor: Jenkins Legal & Advisory
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: As a puppy
Great loves: Kids, pats, dog toys and running around with her human brothers
Favourite foods: Chicken and fish
Doesn't like:
Thunderstorms and windy umbrellas
Quirks: Falls asleep getting a haircut and gets zoomies when my family come home
Ebonnie and 'Plum'
Ebonnie and 'Plum' help children at Kahibah Public School, Kahibah
About: I love cooking and have a special interest in pasta making, and love ice baths
Sponsor: Heron Construction
Dog breed: English Cocker Spaniel
How we met: I sought 'Plum' out some time after losing my heart dog 'Jellybean', who was a 16 year old black cocker spaniel
Great loves: Yellow toy duck, ball, socks and any water activity
Favourite foods: Chicken
Doesn’t like: Being left out
Quirks: She slaps you with her paw for my pats and hugs
Mel and 'Willow'
Mel and 'Willow' help children at Speers Point Primary School
About: Mel is a Beauty Therapist. She enjoys hockey and animals.
Sponsor: McFarlane Real Estate
Dog breed: Border Collie
How we met: Purchased at 8 weeks old
Great loves: Swimming and chew toys
Favourite foods: Roast Chicken
Quirks: Silent barks
Sharon and 'Bear'
Sharon and 'Bear' help children at St Brigid's Primary School, Raymond Terrace
About: Sharon enjoys dog sports, reading, watercolour painting, and she collects fountain pens
Sponsor: Urban Doggo
Dog breed: Yakutian Laika
How we met: 'Bear' was a foster puppy as his breeder died. I took him in and my son fell in love with him so he stayed.
Great loves: Competes in Sprint dog competitions, is an Australian champion, but his favourite thing to do is lie on a pool float in our pool. He loves cuddles and hanging out with human and dog friends.
Favourite foods: Chicken and cheese
Doesn’t like: Scary ceiling fans, when moves things in the house and automatic doors
Quirks: He has a wicked sense of humour and will learn quickly what makes people laugh
Jane and 'Frankie'
Jane and 'Frankie' help children in the Newcastle area
About: Jane is a retired Registered Nurse and loves she outdoors including hiking and playing golf
Sponsor: Oh My Dogz
Dog breed: West Highland Terrier
How we met: We had recently lost our Jack Russell and wanted another dog and friend for our labrador
Great loves: Lots of love and attention, rolling on her back on the grass. Trips in the car with her head poking out the window
Favourite foods: Duck wings and sardines
Doesn’t like: Swimming - It's a work in progress
Quirks: Hiding her treats around the house for some other time. Stealing the loo paper from the bathroom and ripping it apart
Bron and 'Rosie'
Bron and 'Rosie' help children at Holy Cross Primary School, Glendale
About: Bron is a Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, she swims early in the morning every day, and loves hiking
Sponsor: Shotters Lawyers
Dog breed: Groodle
How we met: I was principal of a school for students with mental health disorders, and we bought 'Rosie' as our wellbeing dog. Because I left, I was the main carer of 'Rosie', when I left, she stayed with me
Great loves: Rolling on the ground rubbing her back, travelling in the card with her ears flying in the wind.
Favourite foods: Loves her dinner with sardines
Doesn’t like: Nothing
Quirks: She puts her hand on my arm to attract my attention
