Group formed for helpful furry friends

WHEN Amy Ord decided to get an assistance dog to help with her complications, she found the change to be a welcome one.

“I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome where I can basically faint,” she said. “I’ve also got chronic fatigue and autism.

“Millie is a poodle cross golden retriever and can help me if I have a dizzy spell or heartrate spike. Eventually I’ll get a harness for her so she can help me keep upright with my crutches.

“On days when I’m stuck in bed she’s a good companion and when I have falls she’ll get help.”

Being new to having an assistance animal, Ms Ord noticed a lack of a local support network for handlers, and started the Ballarat Assistant Animal Support Group.

“A lot of handlers have said to me something like this is needed,” she said. “It’s also to offer advice to anyone who’s local and wants to start their animal assistance journey.”

The group’s first meeting was held on Tuesday last week and saw four handlers gathering at the Buninyong Dog Park.

Ms Ord said the group has been welcomed by the community, and she has some ideas of how to develop it.

“We had four people with mobility issues and all dogs but this is open to all assistance animals,” she said.

“I get most of my advice from the Working Animals Federation of Australia who are trying to establish a standard for assistance animals in Australia.

“Since there isn’t one currently, anyone can claim their dog to be an assistance animal so we want to make sure people stay in line with the Disability Discrimination Act.

“I want this group to become a go-to place for information on assistance animals in Ballarat, even advocating to councils in the future would be good.”

Get-togethers will continue on Tuesdays at 6pm at the CE Brown Reserve Dog Park which Ms Ord and Millie normally visit twice a week.

Updates can be found at the Ballarat Assistant Animal Support Group Facebook page.