Mobility Dogs

Sonny has decided that carrying things is his greatest gift to the world, and honestly, we're not going to argue with him. Retrieving and carrying objects is one of the genuinely practical skills our dogs learn — the kind of thing that makes a real difference in everyday life for the person they're placed with. Sonny is bringing full commitment to the role, as that expression makes very clear. 🐾💧💚

Green jackets on. Eyes firmly closed. Absolutely no plans to move. 🐾💤
After a big session out in the world — new environments, new sounds, new everything — this is what a well-earned rest looks like for two very hardworking dogs in training. Settling calmly wherever they are is one of the most important skills they develop, and these two have clearly got it completely sorted.
We'll let them sleep. 💚

We don't know what he's thinking about, but whatever it is, it's clearly excellent. 😄🐾
This golden boy has had quite the week — new environments, new animals, new experiences — and he is taking it all completely in his stride. That face says everything about why we love this work so much. 💚

Halfway through June and we're still shouting — because our volunteers absolutely deserve it. 📣🐾
This is just some of our Hamilton crew, taking a well-earned break after a training session. Six people who give their time, their homes and their hearts to raising the next generation of Mobility Dogs — and who make it look like the best job in the world, which frankly it is.
To every volunteer across Aotearoa this month: kia ora rawa atu. We see you and we are so grateful. 💚

One of the things that surprises people most about Mobility Dogs is just how much they can do around the home. Opening doors is one skill, but our dogs are also trained to tackle drawers, fridges, ranch sliders and cupboards — all using a tug rope, and all giving their future partner a level of independence that's hard to put into words. Sonny is showing he's got it well under control!🚪🐾💚

Sometimes the greatest acts of kindness involve letting go.

When Zeta Zhang and her family made the decision to entrust their much-loved dog Sunny to Mobility Dogs, they did so because they believed he had more to give. That decision — generous, selfless, and not at all easy — has changed another person's life.

Sunny recently joined Kim as her succession dog. After losing her beloved Mobility Dog Cooper, Kim wasn't sure she was ready. But Sunny — calm, confident, and already devoted — had other ideas.

Kim has even given him a new spelling. She calls him Sunny, because she's decided that from here on in, there will only be sunny days. ☀️

To Zeta and her family — thank you. You gave Sunny the most wonderful beginning. And because of that, Kim — who has navigated so much with such quiet courage — gets to start again. A new dog, a new name, and a future full of sunny days ahead.

There's a new face in our Puppies in Prison™ programme — and he is very, very small. 🐾

Spencer arrived at just eight weeks old, and at ten weeks he's already crate and toilet trained and learning to walk on a lead like the professional he's destined to become. One day, Spencer will change someone's life. Right now though, he's just the best thing to happen to a Friday.

Follow along as this little guy grows into something extraordinary. 💛

Silkie chickens are, objectively, one of the more unusual things a dog-in-training might encounter — and yet here we are, nose to beak, completely gentle and completely calm. 🐣🐾
Getting comfortable around all kinds of animals is part of the work, and this golden boy is taking it very seriously indeed. Gentle curiosity, no drama. Exactly what we want to see. 💚

We're grateful to New Zealand Community Trust for a grant that's going towards part of our senior Auckland trainer's salary and supporting our puppy raisers and training programme. Every bit of community support helps keep these dogs on the road, and we appreciate it very much. 🐾💚

Cows, sheep, chickens, cats — a Mobility Dog needs to be comfortable around all of them without becoming anxious, distracted or wanting to chase. It sounds simple, but it takes careful, patient exposure to get right, and it's one of the more interesting parts of the training journey.
Truffle is ticking off farm animals today and, as you can see, she is completely unbothered by the very large cow behind her. That expression says it all. 🐄🐾💚