Who we are

Who we are | What we do 

Assistance dogs have been helping people with physical disabilities for over 30 years internationally.  The Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust (Mobility Dogs) is a registered charitable trust, founded by Bradley Mark (pictured right with founding dog 'Boston'), with an appointed Board of Trustees.

The MISSION of the Trust is to "enhance the lives of people living with long term physical disabilities by providing trained mobility dogs to increase independence, confidence, self esteem and participation in New Zealand communities"

The Trust's first mobility dog ‘working team’ graduated at the end of 2005; at April 2010 there are 21 Mobility Dogs working teams.  With such high demand for assistance dogs, Mobility Dogs continually operates a training programme. The number of dogs able to be trained is directly related to the funds and resources available. We also have 'Ambassador and Ambassadog' teams working to promote the organisation.                                                                         

Meet our team

Jody Hogan - General Manager Operations

I initially joined the team at Mobility Dogs in June 2008 as the Funds and Grants Coordinator.  Whilst this was my primary role, we are a small organisation and I wore many hats!

I have a long held interest in disability issues and I have framed my academic work (Biological/Social Anthropology and Social Science for Public Health) to explore many aspects of disability.  It seems like a natural extension to be working for Mobility Dogs - bringing together both my interest in disability on a theoretical level and now, working with people whose reality is the lived experience of disability.  My daughter Amy has been working with her mobility dog 'Bonnie' for over two years.  After experiencing first hand the difference 'Bonnie' has made to Amy's life, my passion is to ensure we get more dogs out there to those that need them.

The Puppies in Prisons (PIP) programme is another aspect of Mobility Dogs that I find particularly interesting and challenging.  We now have the opportunity to get more dogs out into the community and at the same time introduce a wider social initiative offering prisoners an opportunity to serve that very community.

I understand that it is a major long term commitment to be considering being matched with a mobility dog.  I am more than happy to share my own experiences with you or discuss any queries/questions you may have.  Please contact me on jody.hogan@mobilitydogs.co.nz.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Helen Spence - Development Manager

With little canine experience my family and I were first introduced to Mobility Dogs in 2006 as puppy-raisers; literally a 'chance meeting' in the street with Mobility Dogs looking for a puppy-raiser for golden retriever 'Chance'!  It was very much a case of our being trained to train a dog.  Over the following 18 months, alongside my puppy-raising efforts, I worked increasingly as a volunteer for the organisation.  I have been formally employed by the Trust since March 2008. 

With a background in Psychology B Sc (Hons) and Market Research I have primarily focused on raising the profile of Mobility Dogs and the development of our promotional material, website and quarterly 'Wags' newsletter.  Over the past 2-3 years Ambassadog 'Chance' & I have taken on a number of speaking engagements to clubs, schools and business organisations. 

My passion for Mobility Dogs comes not so much from a love of dogs but from witnessing first hand the tremendous difference a mobility dog makes to the life of a person living with long term physical disability. I am determined that the physically disabled community of New Zealand continue to benefit from this service.

Through my endeavours I seek financial support for puppies coming on board our Canine Development Programme.  It costs $25,000 over a two year period to raise and train a mobility dog.  Obviously I am always delighted to hear from people who can help us in whatever way they can.  No donation is too small! $25,000 is the equivalent of approximately 33 individuals - or branches of a business - making a donation of $1/day for two years.  Please contact me helen.spence@mobilitydogs.co.nz

Sian Green - Services Coordinator

My name is Sian Green and I am delighted to take up the role of Services Coordinator here at the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust.

That means I am the person who will be processing your application, advising you throughout your assessment process and supporting you once you're matched with your dog and beyond. What motivates me is helping to establish a successful client/dog partnership and seeing the improved independence that brings into our client's lives.

Like everyone on the team here, I'm excited about the future for Mobility Dogs within New Zealand and I'm looking forward to working together to get our wonderful dogs out into the community so they can make a real difference in people's lives. You can contact me at sian.green@mobilitydogs.co.nz if you are interested in applying for a mobility dog or just want to find out if a mobility dog might be right for you.