Events

Bark Busters Conference, Wollongong, NSW

JUL 25, 2007

As you may already know, Bark Busters has generously offered to assist Paws for Diabetics Inc. with the obedience side of our training. They volunteer their time and expertise to train Paws for Diabetics Inc. dogs all over Australia, and we were invited to give a presentation at the annual Bark Busters conference. 

On July 24, 2007 Lorraine Jessep (the Paws for Diabetics Inc Director of Training) and Phoenix made their way from Armidale (NSW) airport to Sydney. From there we drove to the Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort who did not bat an eyelid at the assistance dogs checking in.

On Wednesday, July 25th we headed to the Novotel Wollongong were the Bark Busters conference was taking place.  Here we were meant to be meeting Barbara Katon (a co-founder of Paws for Diabetics Inc) however, she was unfortunately unable to make it.

Our presentation covered the following topics:

• What is Paws for Diabetics Inc and what do we do?
• History of Paws for Diabetics Inc.
• What is Diabetes?
• Types of Diabetes
• Hyper- and Hypo-glycaemia
• Complications of Diabetes
• Statistics
• Training methods

At the conclusion of our presentation, Bryan Edwards (Master Franchisee of Bark Busters Australia) thanked us for our time.  He went on to talk about how far we had traveled and that we rely on donations to operate.  Bryan then put a bucket at the front of the room and suggested that everyone should put some money in to support our organisation.  A few of the trainers approached us later that day about the possibility of them doing some fundraising for Paws for Diabetics Inc.  As we left the room we were handed over $800 which had been put into the bucket!!  After making sure we knew were to go for the dinner that was being held that night, Lorraine left the Novotel and, after making a brief stop at the accommodation, we met up with Gail and Kathy Armstrong and their dogs, Shania and Gracie, at a shopping centre nearby. 

Gracie was put through a public access test for the first time and I am pleased to announce that she passed with flying colours.  Lorraine was unable to find anywhere in which she lost marks, and so she had now gained the title of "fully accredited assistance dog"!  Shania and Phoenix were both also put through their paces and passed the public access test.

After spending time catching up with Gail and Kathy, Lorraine headed back to the accommodation to get ready for the Bark Busters dinner.  Phoenix was tired out by the very full day and slept through most of the dinner, including the loud music and bright lights!!  Lorraine was presented with a book on Bark Busters training techniques.  Lorraine was able to talk to the trainers individually and answer any questions they had.

The organisation would like to take this opportunity to thank Bark Busters for their support and donation, and for giving us the opportunity to work with a group of such friendly and knowledgeable trainers.