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Assistance Dogs Pup named after Paul Gallen

Cronulla Sharks legend Paul Gallen now has a very special pup named in his honour.

One of the new male pups entering the Assistance Dogs Australia training program was 
named in honour of legendary Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen’s contributions to Sutherland Shire. This furry bundle is about to embark on a journey to become a life-transforming Assistance Dog of the future.

For many years, the two iconic Sutherland Shire- based organisations have supported one another. The Sharks Have Hearts program is a wonderful initiative of this respected NRL club and its work within the local community achieves amazing results. 

Much like the Assistance Dogs pups… 

Paul Gallen laughs, “It’s not often you get asked if you’d like to have a dog named after you. But this little fella has the makings of something very special. I hope he’ll go on to change someone’s life one day.”

Bestowing this little chocolate Lab with the name of their captain is a much-appreciated gesture of the NRL club’s encouragement of our work and the amazing results our dogs go on to achieve.

The Sharks’ involvement with the pup Gallen will continue with regular updates on his journey and career path. And hopefully one day, we’ll see the Sharks’ captain and icon of the game perform the official handover of Gallen as a fully qualified Assistance Dog to a future client.

CEO Richard Lord says, “From pint-sized to Gallen. This little pup has a lot of learning ahead before he’s truly earned his name. But he’s already showing great potential.

We think both Gallens are destined to leave a lasting contribution to the world they inhabit. Our dogs don’t just change lives, they give people their lives back."


About Assistance Dogs Australia

Assistance Dogs Australia is a national charity which trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to help people with disabilities, providing them with greater freedom
and independence.

Assistance Dogs Australia works with people living with physical disabilities such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, as well as children with Autism and police and military personnel with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They also place dogs in educational facilities and ran a pilot program for people living with dementia. 
Since inception they have placed almost 300 Assistance Dogs across Australia. Dogs are placed free of charge to a wide range of clients. 

It costs in excess of $35,000 to train and place a dog, and Assistance Dogs Australia receives no government funding. For more info, visit assistancedogs.org.au or call 1800 688 364.
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