Thanks to our wonderful supporters, beautiful black Labrador Grady is changing the lives of Tasmanian children and their families.
Raised as a Guide Dog puppy in Hobart, Grady’s career path took a detour when he was chosen to be the very first Therapy Dog at Kites Children’s Centre in Bellerive, a member of the VisAbility family.
Grady’s affectionate nature and love of children made him the perfect candidate for Dog-Assisted Therapy, where he now works with children who have difficulty engaging with traditional therapy approaches.
According to Kim Ryan, Program Manager for Guide Dog Services and Grady’s trainer, she’s already seeing the positive affect that he’s having on the children in his short time in the role.
“I’ve seen a child go from being unmotivated, to their face lighting up when they see him,” she says. “He encourages them to take turns, maintain eye contact and follow instructions. I know Grady will have an amazing impact on so many lives.”
