MIRIAM INTRODUCES SPUD:
When I was 13, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Following the diagnosis there were numerous hospitalisations and med changes, with little improvement, and I became withdrawn, anti social, paranoid and distrustful and very anxious, especially in social situations.
I was seeing a psychiatrist, but would say nothing and after 5 mins each time my psychiatrist would talk to my Mother to find out what was, in her view, going on.
One day I asked Mum for a dog, which I thought would provide companionship and maybe help with my anxiety symptoms. Mum discussed it with my psychiatrist, who agreed it was worth a try.
We went down to the local RSPCA expecting a long search, but I saw Spud, a 7 year old border collie x and it was love at first sight, I refused to look at any other dogs, so we brought Spud home.
The next time I saw my psychiatrist with Spud, I spoke for an hour! That little dog made a huge change in my ability to communicate and my stress/anxiety levels. I had the idea that if I could take Spud with me to public places, I may even be able to have a much higher level of independence, I might be able to go places on my own.
So began a long period of going in circles trying to find an organisation or body who could make it so Spud could go to public places. Eventually, someone told us about the “Public Access Test” which means, you prove the need and pass the PA test and buy a vest and you can go to public places with the same rights as a seeing-eye dog.
We expected to be stopped at every turn, but found the places like shopping centres, restaurants and other public places to be very understanding, occasionally we would get stopped and queried, but as soon as we explained he was a service dog, they were happy. I am very grateful to have Spud, he has made a huge difference to my life. Spud even comes to church with me each week-we are both on the welcoming roster!

Spud and Cindy visit the Manningham Centre together through the PALS program which is run through the Lort Smith (details on their web site-see our Links page). Of course Spud and Cindy are far more popular that Miriam & Sue who go along to hold their leashes!

Meet Joan’s dog…
Maddie (short for Madeleine) came from the Lost Dogs Home, classified as ‘too hyperactive’. That was two years ago. Now she is a qualified therapy dog, visiting Royal Talbot, the Repat Hospital, and the Manningham Centre with the Lort Smith PALS Program. She and my son are now in Advanced Class at Wiltja Dog Obedience Club. At home she is our much loved companion and also my trainer, insisting I get my daily walks. She is a very sociable animal, delighting to meet new people and dogs.