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Paws for thought: Auckland charity walk to get tongues wagging

 Tuesday, October 18: Taking the dog for a walk is a daily routine for many New Zealanders, but Assistance Dogs New Zealand (ADNZ) hopes their annual walk – with a difference – will have participants and their furry friends walking away with a smile on their face and tails wagging.

Woof & Walk is a charity event that invites dog owners and dog lovers alike to stroll around One Tree Hill, Auckland, to help raise much-needed funds and awareness for the charitable trust.

ADNZ provides trained assistance dogs to clients with a disability. The organisation’s purpose is to foster independent living, mobility, safety and companionship in their clients and each dog is specifically trained for the individual client’s needs.

The dogs can be trained to achieve remarkable things, from detecting potentially life-threatening blood sugar lows in a diabetic, to anchoring an autistic child who is about to run out onto the road.

This is the second year the Woof & Walk has been held, with the inaugural event last year attracting nearly 200 walkers – including former Warriors captain Simon Mannering and The Bachelor NZ contestant Alysha Brown.

Wendy Isaacs of the Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust says the walk is a great opportunity to get out and about for a good cause, and to see first-hand what a difference an assistance dog can make to an individual’s life.

“The impact an assistance dog has on the lives of people with disabilities is huge. It can enable them to find a new sense of independence, give them confidence to explore the world and support them physically and mentally through tough times.

“Every single client that has an assistance dog has seen remarkable results, with many of them saying, ‘I don’t know what we did before our dog came along!’”

Event supporter Cookie Time will be out and about giving away free cookies and selling their Christmas Cookie buckets. The event will also feature a number of family-friendly activities, such as an assistance dog demo, agility fun course and a photobooth setup.

Participants are encouraged to dress up their pooches, and there will be spot prizes for the best fancy dress costume and a fantastic Pooch Kennel to be won filled with goodies. There will also be competitions for the most obedient dog and the best trick.

Entry costs $10 per adult and children are free, with all proceeds going towards ADNZ, aiding with the training of an assistance dog for the enrichment of the lives of those with multiple disabilities.

The organisation has been operating for eight years and recently released its 33rd dog after a successful 2016 ADNZ Appeal Week. Wendy says the public support is amazing, and without generous public donations the organisation wouldn’t be able to do what they do.

“It’s sure to be a wonderful day out, with plenty to see, do and learn about. It’s feel-good fun and if last year is anything to go by, everyone will walk away with a smile on their face.

“Even if you don’t have a dog of your own, but you want to support this event, we welcome you as a spectator to come on down and meet the ADNZ team – and we’ll find you a four-legged friend for the day!”

Assistance Dogs New Zealand Woof & Walk is on Sunday, November 13 at One Tree Hill, Auckland. Walk starts at 1.30pm. Registrations are now open online or participants can register on the day.

To pre-register or for more information, directions, and location of the venue within the park, visit assistancedogstrust.org.nz/woo

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