PATS

29/09/2026

With Dogs For First Responders Ltd - D41R – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

18/09/2026

Look at his little face!!

15/09/2026

What’s an Assistance Animal

🐾 Can an Assistance Animal be something other than a dog?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) defines an Assistance Animal as “a dog or other animal” that meets the requirements in the Act. It does not restrict Assistance Animals to dogs or prescribe a short list of permitted species.

That means animals such as cats, parrots and miniature horses may potentially qualify under federal law if the individual animal satisfies the legal requirements.
But “other animal” does not mean every species is appropriate for Assistance Animal work.

An Assistance Animal must be individually suitable for its role.

For example, cats, parrots and miniature horses may have characteristics that can make particular individuals suitable for particular forms of assistance.

By contrast, an animal such as a fish cannot realistically accompany and assist a handler while under their control across ordinary public environments.

A snake presents very different behavioural, husbandry, handling, welfare and public-safety considerations that make it unsuitable for ordinary public-access Assistance Animal work.

The question therefore isn't simply:
❌ “Is this species legally named as an Assistance Animal?”

It is:
✅ “Can this individual animal safely, ethically and reliably perform the required assistance while meeting the applicable legal requirements?”
✅ Different species. Different needs. Same commitment to handler independence, public safety and animal welfare.

11/09/2026

FYI

Parvovirus alert 🐾

City of Wanneroo residents are being advised to ensure their dogs are vaccinated following confirmed cases of parvovirus at the Wanneroo Animal Care Centre.

The highly contagious virus causes vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy and dehydration in dogs, and can potentially be fatal.

If you are not sure if your dog is up to date with their vaccinations or if your dog is showing any of the symptoms above, please contact your family vet.

Learn more: https://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/news/article/1882/parvovirus_cases_confirmed_at_wanneroo_animal_care_centre

03/09/2026

Wonderful, so lovely to see Oscar in action.

28/07/2026

So proud of these two!

24/07/2026

One of the things I love most about my job is that no two days are ever the same. 💙

This week I had the pleasure of working with two beautiful Corellas. While dogs make up a large part of my work, I also enjoy helping people better understand and live alongside many other species. Every animal communicates, learns, and experiences the world a little differently, and that's what makes this work so rewarding.

Now, before anyone asks... yes, they did spend a little time perched on mum's head and shoulder! 😄

While it makes for a fantastic photo, it's not actually something I generally recommend encouraging. Perching on our head or shoulders can place birds above us, making it more difficult to read their body language and recognise when they're becoming uncomfortable. It can also make it harder to ask them to step down, and if a bird becomes startled, frightened, or over-aroused, they're much closer to our face and eyes should they decide to bite.

Instead, I prefer teaching birds that shoulders and heads are by invitation only, while reinforcing perching on hands, arms, or designated stations. This gives everyone more choice, better communication, and keeps both the bird and the handler safe.

I feel incredibly fortunate that my work allows me to help strengthen the relationship between people and animals—whether they have feathers, fur, or four hooves. Every species has something to teach us if we're willing to listen. ❤️