The Original
Australian Dog Of The Year Awards
Meet the Australian Dog of The Year Finalists for 2022
With our tails wagging, we present the Australian Dog of The Year Finalists for 2022!
Can I get a WOOF-WOOF?!š š¶ š
Poppi, Labrador x
āThe Canine Counsellorā
Charity:Ā Guide Dogs Australia
Nine years ago I lost my sight, my job and the ability to do ordinary things like cross roads or cook. I lost all hope. Guide Dogs Australia gave me Poppi. It was hard to be scared to leave my front door when Poppi was so excited to go.
I had a goal to complete a counselling degree. With Poppi I was able to catch trains, find class rooms, and feel safe to study.Ā Poppi attended all the classes and co-counselled during placement. Sheās a brilliant counsellor who has brought comfort to many. Sheās graduating with an honorary degree in March.Ā
Poppi has made the ordinary for me not only possible, but extraordinary.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Boo, Jack Russell x
āThe Teacherās Petā
Charity:Ā Camp Quality
Boo started coming to the primary school I was principal at when we went into lockdown in Victoria. To be honest, I needed him! But something incredible came out of it. Boo just wanted to be with the kids ā sit by them, let them hug him, play with them. He supported the whole community. With a delighted tail wag, heād strut through the school making everyoneās days a little easier. He attended reading sessions, helped a student engage in drama (by performing his tricks), helped anxious children come into the school & was a friend to all.
Boo is the little dog with a big heart.Ā
Lola, Border Collie
āThe Heart Dog-terā
Charity:Ā BARRC
I suffer with COPD and Lola is able to assist me when Iām really struggling to breathe. She helps with lots of jobs like getting my medicine, phone, shoes, opening doors, passing pegs, opening and closing drawers, doing zips up and down, getting me tissues & getting a drink from the fridge. However the one thing she does for me that I love the most is being there for me when Iām anxious. She helps me feel brave.Ā
Lola is also able to help my elderly parents if they happen to drop their cane she will pass it to them. Lola has also been to our local aged care to perform tricks. Sheās one in a million š
Location; WA
Rubie, Golden Retriever
āThe Wonder Dogā
Charity:Ā Nepean Therapy Dogs Inc
Rubie is a Therapy Dog with Nepean Therapy Dogs Inc, and visits the local library where special children read to her, and the hospital in all departments including Mental Health, Palliative Care.
We adopted Ruby from Golden Retriever Rescue. At 1, she was skin and bone, and shorn. I feel that Rubie is grateful that she has found her āForever Homeā. She just wants to please you, and to be there for you. Sheās always looking after me. After tripping and landing on my face, Rubie rushed quickly to me to help get me up by bracing herself, allowing me to pull myself up, so now my husband refers to her as the āWonder Dogā.
Location: Sydney, NSW
Harry, Collie x
āThe Blind Story Dogā
Charity:Ā Story Dogs
Harry is our blind rescue dog. Heās a Story Dog at our local school, where he listens to reluctant readers, and helps build up their confidence. Harry, being blind, canāt tell what the story is from looking at the pictures, so I would ask the children to read carefully so Harry could understand. Harry also helped students understand that having a disability, or being different, does not mean you werenāt special, or couldnāt have fun or make friends. In 2021, my husband was diagnosed with facial nerve cancer, and now has impaired vision. Harry taught him to see with his heart and showed him that you can still have a purpose. Harry taught him to delight in what he does have: Life. Harry is our Paralympian, bringing home gold every day!
Location: Melbourne, VIC
kelli, kelpie x
āThe Bedside Best Friendā
Charity:Ā Guide Dogs Australia
Kelli took it upon herself to become co-carer for my deaf Mum. Following many hospitalisations my mum asked her Doctors to cease all medications. I was told she had a week and chose to bring her home. āNurseā Kelli welcomed Blue Careās daily visits and kept 24 hour vigilance, waking me when Mum needed assistance. In June 2021, I made the hard decision of Aged Care Residency. Kelliās regular visits consist of me being dragged through the corridors to to share love with everyone she passes and on to Mumās room.
In 2020 I needed a life threatening operation. My partner had a fatal heart attack the night I was admitted & I had to organise the funeral from hospital. Itās been tough. Kelli must feel it as well but she cheers me up with her cheeky licks.
Bandit, English Springer Spaniel
āThe Study Counsellorā
Charity:Ā ADHD Whisper
Bandit supports our son Bailey, now 15 years old, who has ADHD and severe anxiety. Bailey does Distance Education as he struggles with the mainstream school environment.
The Pandemic has made things harder socially for Bailey as many opportunities to socialise were restricted. Bandit stepped up and became Baileyās āstudy buddyā and best mate. He is a wonderful calming influence too.
rocky, english springer spaniel
āThe Wildlife Protectorā
Charity:Ā Turtle Care Queensland
Rocky single-handedly saves the lives of 30,000 endangered green loggerhead and flat back turtle hatchlings each year in two of the most important turtle rookeries on the Australian eastern seaboard. Rocky also helps protect the 10,000 endangered Mary River turtles through ridding the river banks of foxes. And he has helped restore the population of critically endangered bilbies from feral cats at the RAMSAR listed Currawinya National Park.
Rockyās job is tough and dangerous, and he shows courage everyday. Heās survived a black snake bite in doing his work. Heās truly a hero to many & a friend to all native Australian creatures.
Location: Brisbane, QLD
sammy, german short haired pointer
āThe Fun-draising Sprinterā
Charity:Ā Speak Up Stay Chatty
Sammy came into my life when I was at my lowest, battling mental issues. However this year both Sammy and I embarked on turning around the stigma and raising awareness and funds for mental health.
We ran/rode from Devonport to Dover (480km) for Speak Up Stay Chatty. It took us 9 days (because I slowed him down). We raised close to $10k and we raised mental health awareness through other events.
Location: Midlands, TAS
Tildy
Corgi
āThe Wonderful Giftā
Charity: Childrenās Cancer Institute
Tildy was a faithful companion to my 11yr old daugher Peta. We decided to buy Peta a puppy after her diagnosis of Brain Cancer. Peta set her heart on a corgi. Tildy bought her so much love, comfort and happiness through her treatment. With Peta leading her from a wheelchair Tildy gained her 13 championship points ā the last only a month and a half before she passed. Peta was dreadfully weak but it bought her much delight. Tildy was lying on her bed, head on her chest, as Peta passed away. Tildy was such a wonderful gift to Peta in her final years, and has been a constant lifeline and comfort to me through the trauma of child loss. Tildyās Sausage Sensation, a childrens story about Tildy and Peta, is currently raising money for childhood cancer charities and Tildyās charm is helping to promote the book.
Location: New England, NSW
Oscar
Bearded Collie x
āThe Furiend to Allā
Charity:Ā RSPCA
Trixiebell
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
āThe Storybook Princessā
Charity:Ā Cancer Council of SA
As a Story Dog Tixiebelle works in schools, spreading happiness among children & teachers, especially during difficult COVID times. Teachers love her visits, giving belly rubs. Sometimes, if given the chance, she jumps in their laps and catches them by surprise! Children adore her and canāt wait to read to her. Trixiebell has several photo books, made during lockdown, to share with children.
Trixiebell frequently visits an Aged Care Facility where her effervescent personality brought fun and laughter to the residents and workers. Together weāve raised $2,500 for the Cancer Council ā a charity that helped me through my tough time alongside Trixiebell. She really is family; one in a million!
Location: Adelaide, SA
Cooper, labrador x
āThe Canine Counsellorā
Charity:Ā Animal Aid Coldstream
Cooperās a certified therapy dog. He comes to work with me in my classroom & is adored by our whole school community. Heās a blessing for children with additional needs. Itās only with him that Iām able to support these students through meltdowns and bring them back ready to learn.
In 2020 we were camping in Mallacoota when the catastrophic bushfires hit. Cooper showed such bravery. We evacuated out on a boat for 19 hours, hiding under the cover to escape the wind & fire surrounding us. He emotionally supported me when I didnāt think we were going to survive. He endured a long ship ride on HMAS CHOULES to return home. This event caused me many issues, including PTSD. He is by my side everyday helping me cope with my anxiety, depression and PTSD. I simply would not be here (alive) without him.
Location: Yara Valley, VIC
harper, kelpie x
āThe Life Saverā
Charity:Ā Smart Animal Sanctuary & Rehoming Centre
Harper saved my life more than once. I lost my husband to suicide. I was depressed, scared, on sleeping medication & wasnāt able to work. My life nearly ended when I decided I would run into a semi trailer but made a split-decision not to. Harper chose & saved me. Days when I couldnāt get up, she would jump on the bed with a toy in her mouth, wiggling her bum to play. Nights that were previously unimaginable were easier with her next to me.
Harper has changed my life. We walk at least 10 kilometres a day. She makes me laugh like Iāve never laughed before and the love, there is just no words to describe. Tears of gratitude as Iām typing this. Thereās so much mental illness, especially now and I want the world to know my story in the hope it can help save someone else.
Location: Wagga Wagga, NSW
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Crysta, MIXED Breed
AKA: āThe Teacherās Petā
Charity:Ā mindDog Australia
Crysta is a Pets as Therapy Dog with Delta Society. She regularly visits the local Childrenās, Mental Health and General Health Wards. Sheās made a considerable difference to many patients, and hard working staff. She visits Christmas morning to make sure everyone starts the day off with love. Crysta is starting a new role in our local court house supporting court goers and staff there.
Iāve struggled with mental health my whole life, and had trouble communicating with others. Crystaās love and ability to connect with people has given me the confidence & practice to do the same. Ursula Leguin said it best: āI forgot how much light there was in the world until you gave it back to meā. Crysta also helps raise other foster puppies, kittens & bunnies. And keeps watch over orphaned kangaroos released from our property.