Four paws at a time

HELPING THE COMMUNITY FOUR PAWS AT A TIME

ZOE COONEY

Living with a disability can be isolating at times. But through the work of Guide Dogs Tasmania, there’s a crew of canine companions out there changing people’s lives. Some of the puppies currently in training are part of a brand new program helping families with autism.

Aimed at kids between three and eight years old, the new program will see dogs who don’t pass their guide dog training adopted by families who need a helping hand (or paw!).

‘Those families are often feeling a little bit isolated and housebound,’ Guide Dogs Tasmania Coordinator Kim Ryan said.

‘The dog is a comforter, so when everything gets too much, the kid can look at the dog and have that comfort.’

Autism assistance dogs are also trained to keep the child safe when the family is out and about. If the child tries to run away, the dog will sit and a safety mechanism attaching the two will stop the child from potentially running onto a busy road or getting lost in a shopping centre.

The social side of the autism program is another positive step. Making friends and socialising can be tricky for kids with autism, but with their four-legged best friend by their side keeping them calm, it’s often the confidence boost they need. There are guide dogs helping people across Tasmania.

‘Children with autism are very isolated from their peers, but the dog can help a lot with that,’ Kim said.

‘Other children become interested and people on the street start to talk to them.’

To kickstart the new program, Guide Dogs Tasmania applied to our Community Fund. The money will go towards new coats for the puppies and special training equipment. Kim and the team have also had a lot of fun picking out loud toys to get the puppies used to being around kids. They’re teaching the dogs fun tricks to play with their young clients, such as high fives and passing a large ball back and forth.

Guide Dogs Tasmania is always after more puppy raisers and part-time carers, as well as volunteers for their Street Appeal Day, ‘pup-up’ stores and collecting the Guide Dogs money boxes you often see in shops. You can also sign up for Pawgust to raise money and keep you and your precious pooch healthy. For more information visit guidedogstas.com.au.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF OUR COMMUNITY FUND WILL OPEN IN MARCH. VISIT RACT.COM.AU/COMMUNITY/ SPONSORSHIPS-AND-FUNDING FOR MORE INFORMATION.

HOST FAMILY & FRIENDS WITH YOUR RACT MEMBER DISCOUNTS When travelling with family and friends, you can book up to five rooms using your RACT discount. Enjoy a 35% accommodation discount year-round when you book a Gordon River Cruise and stay two nights or more at Strahan Village.

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We deliver road safety education for Tasmanians of all ages and find ways to help the local community. Visit ract.com.au/community for more information. HOW CAN WE HELP?

COMMUNITY FUND We’re proud to offer small grants of up to $2000 to help not-forprofit clubs and organisations with local community projects. Just some of the successful recipients and projects from our last round include new boards for the nippers at Bridport Surf Life Saving Club; a community garden at King Island District High School; new UHF radios for the Snug Volunteer Fire Brigade; and support for an underwater clean-up in the Derwent River by the Tasmanian University Dive Club. The next round of our Community Fund opens on 7 March and closes 27 March 2020. To view the guidelines and to apply for funding visit ract.com.au/community/sponsorships-and-funding.

MISUNDERSTOOD ROAD RULES We’d love to visit your senior community group in 2020. We deliver informative and engaging presentations, including our newest presentation about commonly misunderstood road rules in Tasmania. No matter how long you’ve been driving, it’s fun and valuable to test your knowledge.

PARTY IN THE PADDOCK We’ll be at Party in the Paddock from 6-8 February promoting our youth survey, which helps young Tasmanians tell us what they’re passionate about. Our roadside team will also be there to help with any car troubles. RACT members can get discounted tickets through our Member Hub.

RACT ROADSAFE Do you teach Grade 3 and 4 students? We’re taking bookings for our RACT RoadSafe classroom sessions in 2020. Teachers who are interested in this fun, free and interactive resource can register their interest online.