What do Therapy Dogs do? 

Therapy Dogs support people with behavioural, emotional and mental health conditions, as well as those with physical disabilities or illness. They can help reduce anxiety, promote a sense of community and connection, encourage routine and commitment, and provide unwavering companionship.

What breeds are Therapy Dogs? 

Our Therapy Dogs are Labradors or Labrador cross Golden Retrievers. At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we do not offer small breed dogs. 

What age are Therapy Dogs? 

Dogs in the Therapy Dog Program are typically placed with Clients when they are 14 to 18 months of age.

Do you provide low-allergenic Therapy Dogs? 

Unfortunately, no. If you experience allergic reactions to dog hair, please be aware that Labradors and Labrador cross Golden Retrievers shed a lot of hair, which may cause irritation for people with allergies.

How are Therapy Dogs trained? 

Our Therapy Dogs are Labradors from our Guide Dogs NSW/ACT breeding program. Their Therapy Dog training includes basic obedience, instilling great home manners and reliable behaviour on the lead. They are also carefully exposed to different environments, mobility equipment and community settings to prepare them for their Therapy Dog role where necessary.

Are there fees associated with the Therapy Dog Program? 

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT relies on the generosity of our donors and supporters to fund our programs and services. To assist with the costs of running our programs, there are fees associated with the Therapy Dog Program. More information will be provided after submitting an expression of interest.

How do I apply for a Therapy Dog through Guide Dogs NSW/ACT? 

If, after reading the information above, you feel you may be a suitable candidate for our Therapy Dog Program, please complete the expression of interest form below. You will receive an email with an information booklet, self-assessment and application explaining how to apply for a Therapy Dog.

Rachel has PTSD, and with that comes nightmares almost every night. Some nights, she couldn’t bear to sleep with the lights off. When Rachel spoke to a friend who had a Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Therapy Dog, she thought she would give it a try. 

Within seven weeks of being assessed and eligible for a Therapy Dog, Rachel received her match. When she was paired with her Therapy Dog Keanu, her life changed for the better. 

Rachel was apprehensive at first about just how much a Therapy Dog could help her with her anxiety and PTSD. She didn’t expect all the little things Keanu would support her with, like her confidence and adaptability, let alone her nightmares and anxiety. 

“Since being matched with Keanu, I have only had one nightmare within a month of having him,” Rachel says. 

Before Keanu entered her life, Rachel used to stick to a strict routine and would only leave the house with her Support Workers. Now, she gets her morning coffee whenever she wants, hangs out with her friends and goes to her appointments by herself. 

Keanu is now Rachel’s “little shadow” and comes with her wherever she goes. “He comes along to my therapy sessions, and he does so well.”