31/05/2026
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐏𝐌 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥… ❤️
Before anything else, I cannot thank the organisers and volunteers enough — all proudly sporting their red jackets and truly acting as beacons of light throughout the evening.
What started as excitement quickly became something much heavier.
We arrived late, only just making check-in after being caught up in a car accident on the way, with learner driver Amiteal Smith behind the wheel. Poor chicken was understandably very shaken, and while emotions were high, we were incredibly fortunate it was not much worse.
With Jason L'Estrange already having left after a full day at a horse clinic — horse and float in tow — he turned around to rescue us, and somehow we still made it, checked in and ready to try.
Tonight deserves a very special mention for 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭.
While many know her simply as a dog, Ghost’s primary role is far more significant — she is an Assistance Dog.
Tonight was Ghost’s first SprintDog trial and, in many ways, Teal’s first true attempt at balancing sport, partnership and training together. Her run was filled with learning — and honestly, that was exactly what we needed.
An Assistance Dog is required to do far more than perform tasks. Ghost must be able to calmly offload to alternate handlers when needed, remain level-headed despite heightened arousal and surrounding chaos, and switch from play to work in a heartbeat.
And she did exactly that.
I don’t think I could ever fully capture or adequately word the emotion displayed between Ghost and Teal as they reunited at the finish line.
Watching Ghost adapt in an instant — shifting from the excitement of play and chase mode straight into work, grounding herself and meeting Teal where she emotionally needed her — was one of those moments that sits deep in your chest.
It was a powerful reminder of why I am so grateful she partners Teal.
Yes, SprintDog is a sport.
Yes, it is meant to be fun.
But for Ghost and Teal, tonight was something deeper.
It was training.
It was partnership.
It was about solidifying trust, strengthening their Assistance Dog bond, and working through the elements that make this team function together both inside and outside the ring.
So after ticking some important boxes, finding their centre again, and allowing emotions to settle, everybody headed home emotionally drained, worn out… but back on level ground.
And honestly?
That feels like a pretty successful night ❤️ thank you Redlands Dog Obedience Club!
Photo Credit to Dreamfyre Captures of Ghost working at TAFE.
