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Who we areAssistance 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, established in 2003, with an appointed Board of Trustees. You can read more about the Board of Trustees here. The MISSION of the Trust is to enhance the lives of people living with physical disabilities increasing independence, confidence, self-esteem and participation in New Zealand communities. The Trust's first Mobility Dogs working team graduated at the end of 2005; as at November 2011 35 Mobility Dogs have been placed. Mobility Dogs continually operates a Canine Development 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
The Puppies in Prisons (PIP) programme is another aspect of Mobility Dogs that I find particularly interesting and challenging. For the Trust it is about getting more dogs out into the community, but it is more than that, we are giving the prisoners the chance to serve the very community they have offended against. The programme intuitively makes sense, and for me it is very rewarding to see the impact these dogs are having on the prisoners’ lives. We are shortly launching a new programme at Springhill Prison which will be modelled on our existing prison programme at Wiri. Dogs changing lives from the inside out. Mobility Dogs would not be in the strong position it is today without the collaborative efforts of staff, volunteers, supporters, friends, fans and funders. In my role as General Manager I am reminded daily of their commitment, dedication and immeasurable contribution they make to the Trust. My interests outside of the Trust are simple and I am privileged to enjoy: spending time with my family, many children and grandchildren, my friends, to read, exercise daily, fine food, wine and to see the sunrise every morning over Rangitoto. Helen Spence - Development Manager
With a background in Psychology BSc(Hons) and Market Research I primarily focus on raising awareness of the Trust and growing the Mobility Dogs community. I develop relationships with charity partners and promotional material. I maintain this website, manage social media and have edited the quarterly 'Wags' newsletter since November 2007. For over four years Ambassadog Chance & I have spoken to many clubs, schools and business organisations. As of 1 February 2012 I am in enrolled as a postgraduate student at the University of Auckland. My proposed research will consider Mobility Dogs in support of people living with Parkinson's Disease. You can read more about this here. I will continue to work for the Trust on a part-time basis. My enthusiasm 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. helen.spence@mobilitydogs.co.nz Tina French - Funds and Grants Coordinator Previously I have worked with the Auckland Multiple Sclerosis Society for 13 years as their Grants Coordinator and have gained experience as both a consumer and administrator of support services for people with disabilities. I have been involved with Riding for the Disabled for a number of years as a rider, and as the funding officer for the North Shore Group. I am also the Regional Riders Representative and am a board member of New Zealand Riding for the Disabled. I am a past member of the Disability Advisory Council, working with the Office for Disability Issues in Wellington, and have also been a member of the Waitemata DHB - Disability Support Advisory Committee. My passion for the Trust knows no bounds and comes, of course, from the admiration and gratitude I hold for Ezra. The standard of training bestowed on our dogs from the canine team is exceptional and consequently the tasks the dogs carry out are remarkable. The difference Ezra has made in my life, both emotionally and physically, is enormous. I am responsible for grant applications on behalf of the Trust. tina.french@mobilitydogs.co.nz Michelle Smith - Client Services Coordinator
Prior to joining the Mobility Dogs team as an employee, I completed my PhD in Medieval Scottish History at the University of Auckland having received a University Doctoral Scholarship, and have been working as a historian/researcher at the Papakura Museum (Amber and I are still working there 2 days a week) for the last 2 years. Before my life as a full-time doctoral student, I was a part-time Honours Student in history while working for CCS DisabilityAction, and prior to that I worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as their national Educator for 4 years. I have served, and continue to serve, on panels/focus groups and am involved in a number of organisations, societies and associations that reflect what is important to me regarding both disability issues and historical studies. Focusing on the positives is a priority in my own life and I see having a Mobility Dog as a part of that life-plan. Always fiercely independent, I actually queried my ‘need’ for an assistance dog when I was finally matched with Amber, but have realised that she only increases my independence both at home and in public in a variety of ways that I never thought possible. As a first point of contact with the Trust for many of you, I look forward to being part of your Mobility Dog journey, and am only too happy to share my experiences as a recipient with you – please feel free to ask! michelle.smith@mobilitydogs.co.nz Natalie Ramm - Canine Coordinator
Laura Cartright - Canine Development Grant Reid - Canine Handler - & Judy Reid - Puppy Development Liaison, Southern Lakes District Grant and Judy Reid live in Arrowtown and are responsible for the Mobility Dogs Southern Lakes District puppy-raising club. Typically there are 4- 5 puppies being raised by families in this district. Both Judy and Grant come from a background of teaching; Judy as an English instructor and Grant as a university lecturer. Their canine experience started in Colorado back in the year 2000, raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. After relocating to New Zealand in 2007, they became involved with the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, raising puppies and organising local public relations events. Grant has completed a certificate as a Service Dog Instructor from the Bergin University of Canine Studies in California.
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© Copyright 2008 | Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust | Registered Charitable Trust CC24410 | New Zealand
I was first made aware of the work of Mobility Dogs when my daughter Amy received her dog Bonnie in 2008 and I joined the Trust soon after as the Funds and Grants Coordinator. Over time the role developed into managing Key Relationships, and when our General Manager Suzanne Crowther moved onto the Board of Trustees I was delighted to accept the role as General Manager. 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. Interestingly, as it has turned out, I was also incorporating aspects of incarceration and prison systems into my study. 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. 
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. 
My first contact with the Mobility Dogs’ team was when we were all participating in the Community Expo at Brain Day, Auckland 2010. From that meeting I decided to apply for a dog and was teamed with my good friend Ezra. When I met the team again the following year I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to work for the Trust and I am now employed as the Client Services Coordinator.
I have been involved with Mobility Dogs as a ‘
