Dear Friend,
As we roll out our awareness campaign this August you'll be seeing more of Mobility Dogs - especially across social media and digital platforms. By sharing more about who we are, what we do, and why it matters, we hope to help more people understand just how vital our service is to the disabled community across Aotearoa New Zealand.
You are a crucial part of our story. None of this would be possible without your generous support - thank you for your dedication to Mobility Dogs. Our campaign tagline was inspired by the heartfelt words we often hear from our clients. Many tell us, "My Mobility Dog is my everything." That simple, powerful phrase stuck with us, and we knew it had to be the heart of our campaign. |
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As one of just three organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand accredited by Assistance Dogs International, we train mobility, therapy and companion dogs to high international standards - enhancing the lives of Kiwis living with disabilities through fostering independence, building confidence in challenging situations, and creating greater opportunities for connection and inclusion.
Despite over 20 years of creating extraordinary partnerships, research has shown that many people are still unaware of the full scope of Mobility Dogs' work, with some even mistakenly associating us with unrelated canine organisations. You can read more in our awareness campaign press release. |
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We're also excited to announce the return of Dogtober (in October), and this year, it's bigger and better than ever! For the first time, you don't need a dog to join in - though being a dog lover certainly helps 💚🐾
Each week, you (with or without your furry friend), your team, your group, or your school / classroom will take on a new challenge, share your progress online, and most importantly help raise vital funds for Mobility Dogs. We'll be on-hand to support your fundraising journey with fresh resources and fun extras like on-line badges, certificates, and more. We'll be sharing more details on how you can get involved soon.
With new challenges designed to include a wider range of participants, we're encouraging schools to get involved this year. If you know of a school or classroom that might be interested, let us know — we'd love to reach out to them as Dogtober approaches. We hope you enjoy this latest edition of our newsletter. Your generous support continues to make a life-changing impact - your contribution makes all the difference. |
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Kindest regards,
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Jody Wilson
General Manager |
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What is your long-term vision and goals for the supporters to get in behind?
Building on a strong foundation of meaningful impact. We currently have 64 extraordinary, specially trained dogs transforming lives across Aotearoa New Zealand. Each dog provides life-changing support—bringing independence, building confidence, and creating a meaningful connection for individuals living with disabilities. But their impact extends far beyond their immediate partners. Mobility Dogs touch the lives of over 100,000 people every year, and we are committed to building on this strong foundation - broadening our reach and deepening our impact well into the future.
One of our key goals is growth. At present, we have senior trainers based in Auckland, Waikato, and the Lakes District (Queenstown). While these trainers travel extensively to assess potential clients, work with existing clients each year and place dogs across the country, this model comes with significant costs. To better meet the growing demand, our vision is to expand our team with senior trainers based in Wellington and Christchurch - laying the foundation for wider, more consistent regional support. As with many things, this ambition depends on securing the necessary funding.
Our second major focus is sustainability. In today's challenging economic climate, building a financially resilient future for Mobility Dogs has never been more important. We are committed to ensuring that our organisation can not only continue delivering our services but also grow and adapt to meet the increasing needs of the communities we serve. Sustainability means more than just securing funding for the present—it's about planning for the future. Each year, we work to diversify our income streams, build strong partnerships, and develop innovative ways to fund our work. This includes exploring long-term investments, strengthening operational efficiencies, and deepening engagement with community supporters and funders.
Our goal is to ensure that every dog placed, every person supported, and every life touched can be sustained over time - without compromise. It's a future-focused approach that allows us to remain agile, impactful, and mission-driven for years to come.
Proud to meet the highest international standards. Every five years, we undergo rigorous evaluation to maintain our international accreditation - we are currently working on our third re-accreditation. We're proud to be one of only three service dog organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand accredited by Assistance Dogs International, the global authority in the industry. This accreditation reflects our dedication to best practice, and we continue to strive not only to meet but to exceed these standards.
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A heartfelt 💚💛 thank you to our amazing donors. Your generosity transforms lives, bringing independence, confidence, and joy through a specially trained dog to those who need it most. |
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Meet Corinna Cooper:
One of the extraordinary trainers behind our extraordinary Mobility Dogs 🐾
Corinna Cooper, Senior Trainer at Mobility Dogs, plays a vital role in preparing our incredible dogs to change lives. With nearly 15 years of experience, she shares insights into the training process, the challenges the dogs face, and the powerful impact these partnerships have on people living with disabilities.
This story is part of our ongoing campaign to raising awareness of the mission behind Mobility Dogs and how these extraordinary dogs transform independence and confidence for so many Kiwis.
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Without the incredible generosity of our funders, we could not train extraordinary Mobility Dogs to change the lives of our disabled community: thank you! |
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| Sponsor Basil or Oakley to transform a life today!
Support a future Mobility Dog like Basil and Oakley—two of our amazing pups in training. Your sponsorship helps provide the care, love, and specialist training needed to turn playful puppies into life-changing companions for Kiwis living with disabilities.
Receive regular updates on your pup's progress and experience the joy of being part of their incredible journey. Sign up today and help pups like Basil and Oakley change lives! |
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