Doglovers@DAS – February 2015
Letter from the Editor
Dear readers
This is the 20th edition of our newsletter and a time to reflect. We begin by remembering Sylvie Stern, a very dedicated DAS volunteer, who passed away recently, and will be sadly missed by us all.
Our feature article is about a remarkable program in the Northern Territory involving some wonderful Canberra vets. We also have articles about Australia’s iconic dog, the kelpie, and a book about dogs in the Christchurch earthquake. The volunteer we profile is Carolyn Kidd, whose successful business arose as a direct result of her volunteering at DAS.
Readers may be interested to know that your editor was very moved and honoured to receive an award on Australia Day. Part of the citation was for significant service to the community of Canberra, which includes 10 years as a volunteer at Domestic Animal Services walking DAS dogs. I very much look forward to continuing to volunteer at DAS, alongside my exceptional and dedicated volunteer colleagues. I also pay tribute to the terrific, tireless rescue groups working with DAS to rehome the dogs, in particular ACT Rescue and Foster (ARF); to DAS staff whose daily frontline work serving the community is often difficult, dangerous and extremely stressful; and to our supportive Volunteer Coordinator, Simon Tadd.
Happy volunteering!
Di Johnstone
DAS Volunteer and Editor
Vale, Sylvie Stern
We remember the wonderful Sylvie Stern who passed away recently. Sylvie was a DAS volunteer for some four years. She was a great volunteer—dedicated and caring—and she will be sadly missed by all.
Sylvie loved dogs. She had great compassion for the dogs at DAS and cared deeply about their welfare. She would find blankets for dogs that were cold. Or a warm bed. She organized for knitted woolen coats to be delivered for the short haired and vulnerable dogs. She arranged for towels to be dropped off at a shopping centre to bring these for dogs that needed them for warmth in the winter. She brought to attention any problems she noticed that might affect the welfare of the dogs and also helped to fix them.
She worried about every dog, the cute ones and the not so cute, the friendly and the difficult. Sylvie could often be found sitting in a kennel with a frightened dog, reassuring it that the world was not such a terrible place because she was there to care for it.
Sylvie would have rescued every DAS dog if she could have! And she was a tireless advocate for DAS dogs. She invited rescue groups onto her radio program on 2XX FM and she spoke on air about the volunteer program. She readily volunteered for long shifts and put in many extra hours.
Our hearts go out to Sylvie’s partner, Zoe. Sylvie will be sadly missed by volunteer colleagues, the staff at DAS and the rescuers with whom she worked closely. And most of all by DAS dogs. They will miss the very special care that Sylvie brought to them.
Volunteer Profile Carolyn Kidd
I’ve been a volunteer dog walker at DAS since August 2013. When I was growing up my family always had dogs but, as my partner is allergic to dogs, that’s now not possible! It was only through the time I’ve spent at DAS that I realized how much I miss dogs being a part of my life. So much so that, last year, a friend and I started ‘Dogs on the Run’, a dog walking and dog minding business. Even though our business has become popular very quickly, I do my best to ensure I keep a few hours free on a Friday morning for DAS walking duties!
The dogs deserve the very best care and attention we can give them, and I just love being able to give a little back to man’s best friend. And, to say my experience at DAS has changed my life would be something of an understatement! Thank you DAS. www.dogsontherun.com.au
Kelpie Rescue
By Samantha Mazer Australian Kelpie Rescue Inc
Australian Kelpie Rescue Inc (AKR) works across Australia to rescue and rehome kelpies and derivative working breed dogs. My own kelpie is actually a former DAS girl!
Maisie was skin and bones when she came to us through DAS. She appears to have been a failed brood bitch with no exposure to life outside a solitary cement cube for her first nine months of life. Her DAS notes said she was terrified of everything. But look at her now! Two years on she’s taking the world by storm … or at least Victoria, where she now lives.
Helping Maisie recover and grow into her potential motivated me to get involved with Australian Kelpie Rescue when it established itself in November 2013. Maisie now has a brother, Neville, who was AKR’s very first rescue, and Maisie is showing him the ropes. Way to go, Maisie!
To find out more about Australian Kelpie Rescue, visit www.auskelpierescue.com
BOOK REVIEW Quake dogs: Heart-warming stories of Christchurch dogs
By Laura Sessions And Craig Bullock Published By Random House
This remarkable book is about a subject most of us would not consider. How do animals, and especially dogs, cope when there is an earthquake? We know quite a bit about how people react. But what do we know about dogs?
The Christchurch earthquake was huge and tragic. Many people died and many homes and buildings were lost. Pets were also caught up in a terrifying natural disaster. In the midst of this maelstrom and the tragedy, some coped and some didn’t. Some pets died. Many went missing. Some were injured. Some lost owners who sadly died. Just as with the people, the dogs of Christchurch suffered trauma and this trauma leached into the aftermath. Some dogs eventually had to be relocated, they were so seriously affected. Then there are stories of wonderful dogs and their brave handlers who clambered into rubble and unsteady buildings to find people and save lives.
There are stories of dogs who predicted the quake and the aftershocks and those who comforted owners suffering trauma and heartbreaking loss after the earthquake. The photographs by Craig Bullock are absolutely stunning. The individual stories are heart-warming. They remind us that disasters affect animals too and they too need love and care to recover from a terrible experience. They remind us how important animal companionship can be to people affected by trauma and of the special bond between dog owners and their dogs. Do buy this lovely book and when you do you will also help support ‘Helping You Help Animals’ (http://huha. org.nz) a rescue group in New Zealand who will benefit from the sale.
Canberra vets and the dogs of Utopia
Feature Article by Dr Michael Archinal, Manuka Veterinary Hospital
I am sitting in the back of a troop carrier with 13 mite-ridden dogs in various states of sedation. My lungs and eyes are filled with dry, red-dirt road dust, 350km northeast of Alice Springs. Generously covered in dog faeces and urine, and with my heroic vet nurse just having been emergency transported to a health clinic to be stitched up from a dog attack while I narrowly evaded a roaming pack of 14 ‘cheeky’ dogs, I am wondering, ‘why, again, have I chosen to be here’?
My partners (Dr Alison Taylor and Dr Bill Taylor) and I, had become concerned about the inability of Aboriginal people in remote indigenous communities to access health care for their pets. At the invitation of the traditional owners of the Utopia region, we set up a volunteer program to assist in the region with the aim to provide professional assistance on a long-term basis. And so it was that I found myself in the back of the troop carrier.
We have made a commitment to the people of the region to make bi-annual trips to help with population control and then to oversee their dog health program. We take our committed staff members from Kippax, Queanbeyan, Manuka and Jerrabomberra Veterinary hospitals. All staff attending participate in and help organise events to raise the much-needed funds for the trip. Many companies have generously donated supplies and equipment, or helped with donations to assist in covering the costs. Our clients are also very supportive and helpful with our endeavors, and we involve them at any stage of the vast planning where we can. We give presentations to the clients about our most recent adventures at client information evenings.
The local people love their dogs as much as we do at home, but their dogs are under great physiological stress caused by a combination of continual breeding/ lactating, poor nutrition, internal and external parasites, constant fighting and a lack of access of information and services due to the remoteness of the region.
The owners live in very close contact with their dogs and so, consequently, many diseases are passed onto them. Sarcoptes mange from dogs is a particular human health issue, as it causes skin problems and secondary bacterial infection. Long-term kidney disease can ensue. Reducing and ultimately controlling this issue with parasite programs has been applauded by the local area health workers. They are not only seeing a reduction in human dog bites and skin sores (down 87%!), but a general overall improvement, not only in the welfare of animals, but in human health as well.
Seven visits, 790 de-sexed dogs, and thousands of worming and mite doses later, we reflect on a program that we started voluntarily and is flourishing.
You never know. You too may even come to wish you were in a very dusty troop carrier in a very remote area of Australia after a particularly challenging day in your “normal” job.
For more information about the Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) dog health program in Utopia and the terrific work of the Canberra Mob for Indigenous Dog Health see: www.facebook.com/CanberraMob or call Kippax Veterinary Hospital on (02) 6255 1242.
DASNEWS
Domestic Animal Services – Keeping Canberra Safe
Rest in Peace Sylvie Stern
Sylvie was a special person who freely gave her time to help the dogs in care at DAS, often extending herself, doing additional shifts and helping out where needed.
She was a strong advocate of the dog walking program and took every opportunity to promote the program through her position with Radio 2XX FM, with the public and members of the Legislative Assembly. Her enthusiasm and warmth for the dogs in care was obvious to all. Sylvie—happy journeys, you will be missed.
Shane Rattenbury MLA, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, recorded an official and heartfelt tribute to Sylvie in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday 10 February 2015. The Minister’s tribute can be located at: www.hansard.act.gov. au/hansard/2015/week01/106.htm
It’s an honour!
It is my pleasure to let you all know that one of our DAS volunteers was recognised on Australia Day and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia—an AM.
This volunteer has worked tirelessly for animals for many years. She is an active volunteer for the RSPCA as well as DAS, helping out with menial tasks as well as fundraising and publicity. She has been a strong and successful advocate for animal welfare and has made real change for animals in the ACT.
The foundation of ACT Foster & Rescue (ARF) was supported by her, with many of the early meetings held in her home. She rescued and opened her home to a number of dogs over the years, giving them the love and kindness they all deserve.
At DAS she has been a tower of strength, from inducting new volunteers, helping out with media, writing and organising the DAS newsletter, advocating the walking program to both federal and local politicians and organising Pets and Positive Ageing Inc which supports seniors to keep their animals with them when moving from home to aged care facilities.
On top of these activities (and many more besides) she has personally volunteered on the DAS Walking Program for over 10 years! She kept the program going in the early years virtually running the program single handed. She has gone out of her way to help me since I took over the coordination role.
I’m sure you have guessed already that I’m talking about our very own Di Johnstone AM. Well done Di and well deserved—keep on keeping on!
Stop Press
TAMS Minister Shane Rattenbury has introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly legislation to ban puppy and kitten farming in the ACT. For more details, visit: www.cmd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_ releases/rattenbury/2015/bill-to-prevent-puppy-and-kitten-farms-in-the-act