Welcome

Dear readers,

In this edition we pay a special tribute to Ranger Cathie Tacon, who sadly died of breast cancer, and is fondly remembered with a yard named in her honour.

Our feature is about wonderful dogs who give hope to people suffering from mental health issues.

We meet dedicated Saturday volunteer Ivan Neville; and learn of a rescue group for Jack Russell Terriers, a breed of dogs we see often at DAS. We also have important information about new breeding legislation.

Finally, we warmly welcome the appointment of Kennel Master Simon Tadd, who also remains our Volunteer Coordinator.

Happy volunteering!

Di Johnstone AM

DAS Volunteer and Editor

Remembering Cathie Tacon

On one of the yards at Domestic Animal Services (DAS) there is a sign commemorating a very special DAS Ranger, Cathie Tacon. Many DAS volunteers and members of the public will have used this yard over the years but will not know its history. As October is Breast Cancer

Awareness Month, it is timely to remember Cathie, who sadly died from breast cancer and other complications on 28 June 2011.

Cathie worked for many years at DAS, initially as a customer service officer until, in 2003, she won a position as the ACT’s first female DAS Ranger. Cathie thrived in the role and brought to the job a woman’s caring and compassionate touch, an approach that was adopted and embraced by the other Rangers. She brought a new perspective to the role and opened the door to other women to enter this field. Cathie was a charismatic, bright and optimistic person with a heart of gold and a deep love of dogs. She played an important role in re-homing the shelter’s dogs and her compassionate approach to her work gave voice to those abandoned or lost dogs in DAS care.

She was also immensely brave in the face of her cancer and carried on, as long as she was physically able, working at DAS in a job that she loved. She was a popular member of the DAS Ranger team and also with DAS volunteers and rescue groups at DAS. The beautiful breast cancer pink yard sign was placed by her Ranger colleagues and DAS in fond remembrance of Cathie.

Prepared with the kind assistance of Drew McLean, former DAS Registrar and Stella Williams, friend and former Ranger colleague.

Jack Russell Rescue

Article and photo provided by Jack Russell Rescue

Jack Russell Rescue is a not-for-profit organisation operated entirely by volunteers. We have up to 30 dogs in care at any one time and currently rehome over 200 dogs a year that would otherwise be needlessly put down in pounds around Australia.

This great achievement is primarily the work of one extraordinary lady, Jill Clinch, and her small team of dedicated volunteers.

While the majority of dogs arrive from death row, a few unwanted dogs are privately surrendered to us for re-homing due to a change in circumstances, such as a marriage break up or death. If we have the capacity, we will always endeavour to accept a Jack Russell Terrier in need.

The dogs that we offer for adoption may not all be pure Jack Russell Terrier, but at Jack Russell Rescue we believe they are all worthy of saving.

For more information please visit our website www.jrtrescue.net or follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/jrtrescue

Volunteers Therese, Marie, and Roz with "Wendy" (rescued from DAS), "Elly", and "Mr Max"

Volunteer profile - Ivan Neville

I have been a volunteer at DAS since September 2012. I became a DAS volunteer after seeing an article in The Canberra Times about the program.

While, through circumstance, I’ve always owned cats, I also love dogs and at DAS I feel I can play a small role in helping the many dogs in need.

Sometimes it is sad, as you see the impact that neglectful owners can have on their dogs. However, the sadness is overcome by the joy the dogs get in going for a walk. Hot or cold, wet or dry, they love it. And its good exercise for me too!

And for me, there’s no greater thrill than seeing a dog reunited with its owner or starting a new life with another family.

DAS NEWS

Volunteer Coordinator takes on new role

By Simon Tadd, Volunteer Coordinator and Kennel Master

There is good news for DAS and the dogs kennelled at the Mugga Lane shelter with the return of a dedicated Kennel Master. I have taken on this role for the next six months.

Having worked as the Kennel Master for the last two months I have a greater appreciation for past occupants of this role. The role is often challenging. However, the success stories far outweigh the negative. Being able to spend more time with the dogs has allowed me to help them work through anxieties and find a second chance home. Recently a very matted and dirty Shih Tzu was finding it hard to attract a new owner – a wash and quick clipping (so people could see her eyes) saw the dog adopted within three hours!

The addition of a Kennel Master will help free up the Rangers, allowing them to concentrate on core duties of enforcing the Domestic Animals Act 2000. Having one officer responsible for all the dogs in care, and who is interacting with them on a daily basis, will provide a greater depth of care and further understanding of individual dogs’ requirements and needs. So when you are next at the shelter keep an eye out for me and say ‘Hi’.

Fact sheet

Your Pet and Your Will

For many of us our pet is part of our family and yet we have not given thought to what might happen to our pets if they outlive us. How can you make sure that your pet is looked after if you become incapacitated or when you die? The ACT Public Trustee has published a simple Fact Sheet about how to do this at http://www.publictrustee.act.gov.au/inf/publications/ptact-fs-petswills.pdf Do check it out. Your pet depends on you to make arrangements to ensure your pet’s welfare when you are no longer around or able to do that.

Feature Article: Dogs changing lives for mental health sufferers

Article provided by mindDog

Mental illness is a disabling experience for many Australians. According to Sane Australia, around 20% of adults are affected by some form of mental disorder every year. Disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, and other conditions. Many people have more than one diagnosis.

Mental illness can impact a person’s life in many ways. Many people find the world a difficult place to be. Some people are so severely affected by mental illness and its symptoms that their ability to participate as members of their community is compromised, creating further isolation, and adding to physical, emotional, psychological and psychosocial impairment.

mindDog Australia is the working name of the Psychiatric Service Dog Association. mindDog Australia was set up in Sydney in 2011, by Cath Phillips, who trained her dog Buddy to become a psychiatric service dog, and a group of volunteers, so that people with mental health disorders could share the benefits of having their own service dog.

mindDogs can help reduce the fear and anxiety experienced by a person with a mental health issue. mindDogs are trained to facilitate public access, and to respond to the owner’s individual mental health symptoms, and changes in physiology, by anticipating symptoms and circumstances before they become debilitating.

Any well socialised dog can become a mindDog. Breed is not an issue. mindDog Australia assists people to procure, and certify psychiatric service dogs. mindDog Australia does not train service dogs, but can assist with finding a trainer. A mindDog must pass a Public Access Test (PAT), and accreditation by Delta assessors. More information can be found at www.minddog.org.au

Angel’s story highlights the process of obtaining and accrediting a mindDog, and the immense benefit a mindDog can provide.

Angel’s story: Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, suffering frequent panic attacks and agoraphobia I would hardly leave the house. I was exhausted, extremely forgetful, in pain and just didn’t

want to live. Trying to get out of bed was a daily struggle.

I have always been an animal lover and grew up with dogs, so my doctors agreed a dog would be a good idea. I met a few dogs and searched rescue websites. A foster carer mentioned a dog which hadn’t been advertised. When I met Molly, I knew we were meant to be. This sweet untrained pooch winked at me and chose me as her person. She has not done that since!

Her history was unknown: she came to the RSPCA as a stray. When her time was up, they contacted the rescue organisation – a decision I am forever grateful for.

Molly got me out of the house. I had to walk her at least twice a day. I forced myself (and sometimes still do) to get out every day to take her for walks. This was a huge step, since I hated leaving the house. I just didn’t feel safe and my anxiety took over, but with every walk I felt a tiny bit less anxious

And I took another enormous step: I decided to take her to dog obedience school. The first class we went to was a disaster. I almost didn’t go back. It was crowded and raining and we were all crammed under the tiny undercover area of the clubhouse porch. Molly barked and played up. I had no confidence whatsoever and ended up having one of my dreaded panic attacks. For Molly’s sake, I somehow managed to push myself and to keep on going. Molly got better. She had structure, a routine and so did I.

However, getting out to shops and work was still a huge struggle for me. Unfortunately she was not allowed in malls, shops, cinemas, theatres and she could not come to work with me either.

Then I discovered mindDog. They explained what I needed to do and conducted the Public Access Test

for me and Molly. This put us in many new situations to see how Molly would cope. Whilst I was a mess and struggled with being in a noisy, extremely busy place with lots of traffic, Molly was a star and saved the day. It’s almost like she knew how important this was. On the day of the Public Access Test, we came out with a perfect score!

I still find it difficult to go to shops, new places and be in any place that has a crowd, but with her I know I can do it. Having her has given me back my independence even if it is just to go and get groceries.

Molly comes to work with me, and having her with me has made me much more productive. Molly knows she is working when she has her vest on. She has been great at ignoring people when she is “on duty.”

She picks up on my emotional state long before I do, and will nudge me or lick my hand when she sees that I’m not doing so well and need to take medication to avoid a panic attack or meltdown.

Together we have been to the theatre, the movies, in malls, and to events such as the Million Paws Walk. I have also met other dog lovers suffering mental illness, and likeminded mindDoggers who really understand my disability. I am not alone in this world anymore, and am immensely thankful for and grateful to mindDog Australia. Through their support and help I have regained some of my life back and the future is looking much brighter.

Photos: Courtesy of mindDog

DASNEWS

Stricter breeding laws now in force

New ACT legislation from 15 September 2015 regulates breeding cats and dogs in the ACT and will help prevent the emergence of puppy and kitten farms in the ACT. The new legislation supports the vast majority of breeders who do the right thing by their breeding animals, while targeting irresponsible breeders. It applies to any person who breeds from a female cat or dog in the ACT. Stricter conditions apply to commercial breeders.

Breeders must comply with the ‘breeding standard’, and people who breed in order to make a profit now require a ‘breeding licence’. Details of the breeding standards are at http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2000-86/ under ‘Legislative instruments’. Only one breeding licence will be required per breeder, rather than a licence per breeding animal. Breeding licences remain in force until they are surrendered by the licence holder. Breeders must display their breeding licence number in any advertisements that they publish for puppies and kittens that they have bred.

There are significant penalties up to $15,000 for non-compliance. A breeding licence holder who breaches the conditions of their licence may have the licence cancelled.

Rangers from Domestic Animal Services (DAS) will assess applications for breeding licences and ensure that the breeding standard is being followed.

If you suspect a puppy or kitten farm is operating within the ACT, you can report details to Access Canberra on 13 22 81 and it will be investigated by rangers from DAS.

You can help by purchasing your pet from a reliable source, such as a rescue shelter or a licensed breeder. Ways to avoid purchasing an animal from a puppy or kitten farm include:

visiting the breeder to inspect the conditions where the animal was born and housed asking to meet the mother and father animal, to ensure that they are happy, healthy

and well looked after

asking to see the breeder’s licence.

For FAQs see http://www.tams.act.gov.au

If you want to know more, or have any questions, please contact DAS on 6207 2424.

Dog coats

Our warm thanks to Knitting For Australian Dog Rescue Groups for the lovely dogs coats they donated for DAS dogs this winter.