Written by
Australian Dog Lover
14:41:00
-
0
Comments
On a Tuesday night in November 2023, the Perth paramedic community was shattered. They had lost one of their own—Tinesh—killed in a high-speed accident while responding to a Priority 1 call. It was the first time a paramedic had been lost on active duty in the region, and the outpouring of grief was immediate and devastating.
As the frontline teams struggled to process the tragedy, a different kind of support arrived at the Fiona Stanley Hospital emergency bay: a dog named Angus.
When Words Aren’t Enough
Angus, part of the Dogs for First Responders (D41R) pilot program, was called in after St John Ambulance WA senior management reached out to check the team's availability. They knew that their staff were "digging deep" to finish their shifts and serve the community despite their grief, and they recognised that seeing Angus could provide a vital emotional release.
As ambulances transferred patients and weary crews finished their shifts, Angus and his handler, Karen, stood in the bay—the covered area where crews hand over patients to the Emergency Department. It is a place usually defined by high-stakes adrenaline and clinical efficiency.
That night, it became a place of healing. Karen explains that Angus has a ‘sixth sense’; he is very intuitive of people's emotions and as well as sharing the delight when there are waves of positive energy, he also detects when times of calm and quiet are needed. He generally positions himself within arms reach in a sitting position for people to pat him as they chat, and he sits calmly when people feel the need to embrace him.
The sight of hundreds of paramedics finding comfort in a dog's presence had a lasting effect on the entire St John community.
“Angus’s presence softens the body language of the bay,” Karen says.
“He is generally greeted with a smile and outstretched arms as an invitation for engagement. It is lovely to see the first responders drop their guard and experience a moment of positivity within their shift, and have a moment of calm amongst the chaos.”
"In the chaos of emergency service work, connection and presence matter," says Karen Hollings, D41R Founder and an experienced paramedic.
"Dogs help create space for healing that words alone sometimes can’t."
"Programs like ours play a role in prevention and ongoing wellbeing, complementing clinical services rather than replacing them."
Why the Connection Matters: The D41R Difference
 |
| A golden touch for the frontline: D41R Founder Karen ‘Hoppa’ Hollings (centre) with Angus and St John WA Communications Officer Ethan Moreton. |
The program uses the unique bond between dogs and humans to break down barriers and open lines of communication for those who have spent their lives protecting others.
The most important lesson integrated into the D41R model is the fact that it's ‘okay not to be okay.’
What makes the D41R program unique isn’t just the dogs—it’s the people at the other end of the leash. D41R operates on a "peer-to-peer" model, ensuring that the humans providing support truly understand the environment they are walking into.
To become a handler for the program, a person must have 15+ years of frontline, first responder experience in a paid role. This requirement ensures that when a paramedic or police officer looks up from petting a dog like Angus, they are looking at someone who has "walked the path." These handlers know the sounds, the smells, and the specific pressures of the job.
“It is important that we place them in environments which will allow them to perform their therapy role with safety and comfort,” she explains.
This progression is done with assistance through training with Perth Animal Training Specialists (PATS) and guided by the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct outlined by Animal Therapies Limited (ATL), whom the charity holds a professional membership with.
The Growing Gap in Care
While the presence of Angus that night provided a lasting source of comfort for hundreds of paramedics, the reality for many Australians is a long, lonely wait for support.
Currently, up to 250,000 Australians are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While psychiatric assistance dogs are proven to be life-changing, many individuals are forced to wait upwards of three years to access them.
To help close this gap, the Petstock Foundation has officially launched The Buddy Mission. Running throughout February, this national fundraising campaign aims to raise more than $122,000 to support assistance dog programs for Veterans, First Responders, and others in need of a healing connection.
A Partnership for Protection
This year, the Petstock Foundation is partnering with two specialist organisations: PTSD Dogs Australia and Dogs for First Responders (D41R).
Angie Weeks, Co-Founder of PTSD Dogs Australia, emphasizes that these animals are more than just pets—they are lifesavers. "Having a trained assistance dog at their side can make a significant difference to someone suffering from PTSD, helping to reduce symptoms and improve mental wellbeing.
While the presence of Angus that night provided a lasting source of comfort for hundreds of paramedics, the reality for many Australians is a long, lonely wait for support.
Currently, up to 250,000 Australians are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). While psychiatric assistance dogs are proven to be life-changing, many individuals are forced to wait upwards of three years to access them.
To help close this gap, the Petstock Foundation has officially launched The Buddy Mission. Running throughout February, this national fundraising campaign aims to raise more than $122,000 to support assistance dog programs for Veterans, First Responders, and others in need of a healing connection.
A Partnership for Protection
This year, the Petstock Foundation is partnering with two specialist organisations: PTSD Dogs Australia and Dogs for First Responders (D41R).
Angie Weeks, Co-Founder of PTSD Dogs Australia, emphasizes that these animals are more than just pets—they are lifesavers. "Having a trained assistance dog at their side can make a significant difference to someone suffering from PTSD, helping to reduce symptoms and improve mental wellbeing.
"First Responders and Veterans carry the weight of experiences most of us will never see. Our dogs help carry that load with them."For the Petstock Foundation, this mission is the heartbeat of their community work. Naomi Mancktelow, the Foundation’s Community Engagement Lead, says the initiative reflects a commitment to empowering a better future for both pets and people.
"Assistance dogs don’t just change lives; they give people back their confidence, independence, and sense of safety," Naomi explains.
"Through The Buddy Mission, we’re proud to help ensure support reaches those who need it most."
Looking ahead, the ‘dream for the future’ is to increase the number of teams within the Perth Metropolitan area and source and train K9 Teams in regional areas of Western Australia. As well as integrating services to provide regular, routine visits, D41R would like to be in the 'cold zone' of major incidents and disasters to help provide support to first responders and volunteers. If successful in Western Australia, they hope to explore the opportunity of expanding nationally.
How Your Support Changes Lives
The journey of an assistance dog is as intensive as it is life-changing. Already in 2026, PTSD Dogs Australia has received 10 assistance dog applications in Queensland alone, highlighting the urgent and growing need for these specialised companions.
Every dollar raised during February goes directly toward this rigorous process. To prepare for their role, each dog receives 600 hours of training as part of their onboarding for the program. This high level of commitment ensures the dogs are ready for the complex needs of their handlers, but it also shows how resource-heavy these programs are to get up and running.
The Petstock Foundation operates with a unique promise: 100 per cent of funds donated go directly to charitable partners and projects. All operating costs are covered by the Petstock Group business, ensuring your contribution has the maximum possible impact.
The funds raised through The Buddy Mission directly support:
Specialised Training: The 600-hour curriculum required for psychiatric assistance.
Essential Care: Veterinary check-ups, high-quality food, and equipment.
Onboarding: Specialist programs required to prepare each dog for its role supporting someone living with trauma.
Whether it’s a dog like Angus providing a moment of peace in a hospital ambulance bay, or a psychiatric assistance dog helping a Veteran navigate a crowded space, these animals are our heroes' best friends.
Here is how you can join the mission this February:
- The Buddy Toy: Purchase the limited-edition Foundation Buddy Toy in-store or online at Petstock. All proceeds from the toy during February go to these assistance dog programs.
- Donate at Checkout: Add a donation to your purchase in-store or online.
- Be an Advocate: Share this story. By talking about the impact of dogs like Angus, you help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health for our frontline heroes.
About the Partners
The Petstock Foundation: A registered charity founded in 2007 that has raised over $14 million and found homes for 41,000 rescue pets.
PTSD Dogs Australia: A non-profit focused on rescuing and training displaced dogs to become psychiatric assistance dogs for Veterans and First Responders.
Dogs for First Responders: A mobile service featuring handlers with 15+ years of frontline experience and trained therapy dogs who visit responders on shift to break down barriers to mental health support.
More Ways to Give Back This February
Petstock Foundation: $15 Valentine's Gifts That Support Aussie Rescues
