Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust

Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust Providing purpose-trained Assistance Dogs to enrich the lives of Kiwis living with a disability 🐾
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15/09/2025

Hundreds of families would like the chance to apply for an Assistance Dog💙

This September, we need to raise $100,000 to help the 26 families on our waitlist, and get us closer to being able to open up for more families in need.

You can be the reason why another Kiwi family living with disability can live life to the fullest.

Please make a donation today: www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal 🥰

Eden Park is glowing BLUE tonight in support of the Assistance Dog Appeal, so Major dropped by to check it out 👀He’s not...
12/09/2025

Eden Park is glowing BLUE tonight in support of the Assistance Dog Appeal, so Major dropped by to check it out 👀

He’s not exactly sure what’s happening, but it looked important - so he’ll definitely mention it to the other dogs on Monday 🤭

www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal

Thank you Eden Park 💙✨

Celebrating $30k raised for the Assistance Dog Appeal 2025, so far! 🥳🥳🥳Thank you so much to those who have donated!We st...
12/09/2025

Celebrating $30k raised for the Assistance Dog Appeal 2025, so far! 🥳🥳🥳

Thank you so much to those who have donated!

We still have $70,000 to raise this month. If you’re in a position to make a small donation we would HUGELY appreciate it 🫶 Every little bit helps 💙

🥰 Donate here: www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal 🥰

Together, we can make a big difference for families in need of an Assistance Dog 🐕

Trainer Aaron is catching up on some admin today, so Nina and Rosie are making the most of their "day off" 🤣💤Weekend sta...
12/09/2025

Trainer Aaron is catching up on some admin today, so Nina and Rosie are making the most of their "day off" 🤣💤

Weekend starts early for some!

“Gavin is a best friend to everyone in our family – he helps us stay positive and be grateful.” – Jasmine, Ruby’s mum 🥰R...
11/09/2025

“Gavin is a best friend to everyone in our family – he helps us stay positive and be grateful.” – Jasmine, Ruby’s mum 🥰

Ruby was born with a traumatic brain injury and needs support in every part of her life. Now, with Gavin by her side, she has a loyal companion who comforts her during seizures or when she's upset, picks up dropped toys, and sleeps in her room every single night.

"Having an Assistance Dog has increased the quality of our family's life. Gavin helps us smile and laugh even when life can be hard", says Jasmine

👉 Please make a donation to the Assistance Dog Appeal today to help more families receive an Assistance Dog like Gavin.

www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal 💙

We are BEYOND EXCITED to share... that our superstar, Poppy, has officially graduated and begun her working life! 😍🎓Popp...
11/09/2025

We are BEYOND EXCITED to share... that our superstar, Poppy, has officially graduated and begun her working life! 😍🎓

Poppy is now making an incredible difference for her client, providing the comfort and support they need to live life to the fullest.

She has been specially trained to offer comfort in moments of overwhelm - using deep pressure (a calming, grounding weight) and gentle nudges to reassure when she senses her client’s anxiety rising. Out in the community, Poppy also helps with practical tasks such as locating a chair or finding an exit when asked, making everyday life more manageable while being a constant, loyal companion.

Off-duty, Poppy is loving life! She has a big yard to romp around in and has already become besties with her client’s friend’s dog. 🐶💛

A huge thank you goes to everyone involved in Poppy’s journey: her wonderful puppy raisers and boarders (we simply couldn't have done this without you!), our dedicated staff, and a special shout-out to Vesna, Poppy's trainer and instructor, who spent so much time preparing her for this important role.

And of course, an enormous thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers and supporters - you make our work possible and are the reason for every success story like this one 💙

Thank you to Melissa Howard Photography for taking these gorgeous photos of Poppy, including a "silly one", which as you can see, Poppy nailed! 🤣

Thank you SO much to everyone who has donated to the Assistance Dog Appeal so far. We are blown away by your support 💙🥰🐾...
10/09/2025

Thank you SO much to everyone who has donated to the Assistance Dog Appeal so far. We are blown away by your support 💙🥰🐾

WE HAVE ALMOST HIT $30,000!!! Can anyone help us get there today?

Please make a donation today: www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal

Together, we can help more families receive a life-changing Assistance Dog sooner.

10/09/2025

26 Kiwi families like Natalie’s are still waiting for this life-changing support - and hundreds more are desperate to apply.

Please donate to the Assistance Dog Appeal today, and help more families receive this life-changing support sooner 💙🐕

DONATE NOW: www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal

💙 Please donate to the Assistance Dog Appeal today to help more families like Ruby's 💙🐕"Having an Assistance Dog has inc...
10/09/2025

💙 Please donate to the Assistance Dog Appeal today to help more families like Ruby's 💙🐕

"Having an Assistance Dog has increased the quality of our family's life. Gavin helps us smile and laugh even when life can be hard. He makes us feel special and lucky" - Jasmine, Ruby's mum

Ruby suffered a traumatic brain injury at birth and needs support with every aspect of her life. Being upset can cause Ruby to vomit, and loud noises can trigger seizures – an enormous challenge to manage in a busy home with three other children.

After five years of waiting, Ruby’s match arrived in February this year - the handsome Assistance Dog, Gavin 🐾

Ruby now has a constant companion who brings her comfort and joy. When she becomes upset, Gavin gently rests his chin on her lap to help calm her. He’s even learning to do this during Ruby’s seizures, reassuring her that she's not alone until a caregiver can be by her side - bringing enormous comfort and relief to her parents as well.

When Ruby drops toys or objects from her wheelchair, Gavin is there to pick them up and return them, giving her precious moments of independence.

At night, Ruby has Gavin by her side, every single night, providing her comfort and giving her parents the chance rest too.

Ruby loves the extra attention she receives from people when Gavin walks alongside her. With Gavin by her side, he becomes a bridge to social connection and moments of engagement, which Ruby loves.

To the people who make these dogs possible, Jasmine says, “Thank you so much for the time, effort and money you’ve put in. Gavin is a best friend to everyone in our family - he helps us stay positive and be grateful. We feel so lucky to have him in our lives.”

Right now, far too many families are still waiting for a life-changing Assistance Dog.

👉 Please make a donation to the Assistance Dog Appeal today and help us reach our $100k target so that more families can receive an Assistance Dog like Gavin: https://assistance-dog-appeal-2025.raiselysite.com/

Thank you 💙

Hello friends - this is your FINAL CALL to join our Street Collection team on the  19, 20, or 21 September 🥰 💪💙 WE WOULD...
09/09/2025

Hello friends - this is your FINAL CALL to join our Street Collection team on the 19, 20, or 21 September 🥰 💪

💙 WE WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT 💙

We’re almost halfway through our Appeal month and still need to raise 75% of our $100,000 target - together we CAN do this (but we need your help!!!)

Just two hours of your time can make a real difference.

Volunteer sign-ups close THIS FRIDAY – so please don't wait 🙏🙏🙏

👉 Sign up here: https://volunteer.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/

Here’s what families already experiencing the difference of an Assistance Dog have told us:

💬 “Having an Assistance Dog has increased the quality of our family’s life.”
💬 “Because of our Assistance Dog, our child has been able to participate in family activities that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”
💬 “As our child has been growing up with our Assistance Dog, the tether has literally kept them alive.”

Be part of something special, and help us reach our $100,000 fundraising target this month, so we can get more Assistance Dogs to families who need them most.

💙 COME ON TEAM, LET'S DO THIS - Kiwi families need our support 💙

👉 Sign up here: https://volunteer.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/

You're Invited to Go Blue for Blue Heroes This September 💙🐕Wear BLUE with your workplace, community group, school, or te...
04/09/2025

You're Invited to Go Blue for Blue Heroes This September 💙🐕

Wear BLUE with your workplace, community group, school, or team and make a donation to support young New Zealanders waiting for a life-changing Assistance Dog.

We’ve made it easy with simple options for collecting donations - swipe to see 😍

Every donation your group makes will appear on the official Assistance Dog Appeal 2025 website, adding to the total and helping us get closer to our $100,000 goal 💪

We'd love to see photos of your group going blue! Tag us on Instagram to share the love .

04/09/2025

An Assistance Dog can change everything for families like Natalie’s 💙

Far too many families are waiting for this life-changing support.

Please make a donation to the Assistance Dog Appeal today and be the reason why another young New Zealander receives an Assistance Dog: www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/appeal

Part 2 coming soon… 👀🐕✨

Address

PO Box 36406, Merivale
Christchurch
8146

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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