Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust: Changing Lives Through Canine Companionship

At Petdirect, we’re passionate about making life better for both pets and their people. That’s why we’re proud to highlight the incredible work of Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT)—a charity that’s transforming the lives of Kiwis living with disabilities through the power of purpose trained assistance dogs.

What Does Assistance Dogs New Zealand Do?

Established in 2008, Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust (ADNZT) is dedicated to training and providing assistance dogs to help people with a range of disabilities. These remarkable dogs are not only companions, but they are also trained to perform tasks that help improve the independence and quality of life of their handlers. ADNZT supports individuals dealing with conditions such as mobility challenges, autism spectrum disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, and neurological conditions.

How Do Assistance Dogs Help?

ADNZT dogs are specially trained to assist with everyday tasks that might be difficult for their human partners. Some of the tasks these dogs can perform include:

• Opening doors or drawers
• Retrieving dropped items
• Alerting their handler to an oncoming seizure or low blood sugar level
• Providing comfort and a calming presence for people with autism

These dogs are far more than just pets—they are vital companions that allow their handlers to live more independently, offer emotional and physical support, and help to reduce feelings of isolation.

The Training Process

Training an assistance dog is a comprehensive process that starts from when the dog is a puppy. Each dog undergoes over two years of specialised training, learning how to assist with the unique needs of their future handler. The training ensures that the dog is fully prepared for the specific tasks required to help their partner. By the time they’re ready to be placed, they’re experts in their field, ready to make a real difference in someone’s life.

Who Benefits from Assistance Dogs?

ADNZT helps Kiwis of all ages, focusing particularly on children living with autism, physical disabilities and young New Zealander's managing multiple disabilities and health conditions. The assistance dogs are purpose -trained to meet the specific needs of each individual, ensuring the perfect match for a long-term partnership.

For families with children living with neurodivergent conditions, these dogs often provide safety, security, and comfort. For young New Zealanders managing physical disabilities or other conditions, an assistance dog can bring newfound freedom and confidence, enabling them to live more independently.

How You Can Support ADNZT

Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust is a charity that relies on donations to continue its essential work. Training an assistance dog costs over $75,000, and ADNZT provides these dogs free of charge to the people who need them most. There are several ways you can support ADNZT, from making a donation or becoming a volunteer, to simply spreading the word about the incredible work they do.

To find out more about ADNZT or how you can get involved, visit www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz.