Ever wondered what it takes to train a Mobility Dog? Or what makes these special pups such life-changing companions? We sat down with Mobility Dogs Senior Trainer, Corinna Cooper, to chat about the journey from puppy to partner – and how these dogs are helping Kiwis living with disabilities live more independent, connected lives.
Q: What exactly is a Mobility Dog, and how do they support their partners in daily life?
Corinna: A Mobility Dog is a professionally trained service dog that helps someone with a physical disability in their day-to-day life. They’re trained to do all sorts of practical tasks – things like picking up dropped items, carrying small things, opening doors, pushing buttons, even helping a client feel more confident in busy spaces. They learn to work around equipment like wheelchairs and are matched specifically to each person’s needs.
All of our dogs are trained to meet the high international standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the global authority on assistance dog programs. As an ADI-accredited organisation, our work is regularly reviewed to ensure we meet best-practice benchmarks for dog welfare, client care, training methods, and ethics. It’s a mark of trust that we’re really proud of.
It takes around two years of training to prepare a dog for life as a Mobility Dog – and the impact they have on someone’s life is truly life-changing.
Q: What traits do you look for in a puppy that might become a successful Mobility Dog?
Corinna: We’re looking for puppies that are physically sound, with even temperaments and a real desire to work closely with people. They need to be calm, focused, and not easily distracted by things like other dogs or birds. They should enjoy task work but also be happy to relax.
We observe them continuously as they grow so we can build a clear picture of their strengths, natural abilities, and what kind of working role might suit them best.
Q: What kind of training do they go through?
Corinna: It takes about two years to train a Mobility Dog. They start at around eight weeks old and spend their first year with a Volunteer Puppy Raiser, learning basic obedience, socialisation, and confidence in different environments like supermarkets, public transport, and medical settings. Our team supports the raisers through regular check-ins and group training sessions.
After this, dogs move into advanced training, where they work one-on-one with a Mobility Trainer and live with a volunteer boarder who provides a stable home environment. Here they learn specific mobility-related tasks – like picking up dropped items, pushing buttons, and positioning themselves around mobility equipment.
Most dogs also spend time in our Puppies in Prison Programme, where they live and train full-time with selected wāhine in prison. It’s a calm, consistent environment and a valuable part of our training pathway.
Throughout the process, we’re always assessing the dogs’ strengths, personalities, and preferences so we can find the right match for each client. Getting that match right is vital to creating a life-changing partnership.
Q: How do you match dogs with clients?
Corinna: Once we’ve identified a dog that’s ready to be placed, we look closely at our waitlist to find a good match. We consider the client’s environment, lifestyle, needs, and personality – then tailor the dog’s final training to suit.
We also use functional assessments to understand exactly what support is needed, and we train the dogs to perform those specific tasks in real-world environments. Once the dog is placed, the client receives full training and ongoing support throughout the life of the partnership.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges in training a Mobility Dog?
Corinna: Dogs are individuals – they all learn differently. What works for one won’t necessarily work for another. A big part of my job is breaking tasks down and figuring out what’s going to help each dog succeed.
Sometimes we face health challenges – dogs can have accidents or need specialist care. And honestly, one of the hardest parts is not being able to control the environments our dogs work in. Public spaces can be unpredictable, and we rely on the public to help by not distracting working dogs.
Q: That brings us to a key point – why shouldn’t people interact with working dogs?
Corinna: When our dogs are wearing their jackets, they’re working – it’s like being on the job. Calling to them, making eye contact, or sneaking in a pat might seem small, but it can be distracting. They’re not robots – even the best-trained dog can miss a cue if they’re interrupted, and that can put their partner at risk.
We really appreciate people who give working dogs the space they need to focus and do their job well.
Q: Is there a story that’s stuck with you over the years?
Corinna: There are so many! But one of the things I hear often from clients is: “I’m not alone anymore.” And that just really sticks with me. These dogs give people the confidence to try new things – maybe go to a job interview, take up a hobby, do the weekly shop without stress.
They’re more than helpers – they’re companions who are always happy to be by your side, no judgement, just support.
Q: Not everyone can raise a puppy – how else can people support Mobility Dogs?
Corinna: That’s so true – and we’re grateful for all kinds of support. Raising and training a Mobility Dog takes more than two years and costs around $75,000. That includes everything from food and vet bills to equipment, travel, training time, and lifetime support once the dog is placed.
You can help by:
- Sponsoring a puppy
- Taking part in our Dogtober fundraiser
- Volunteering in other ways
- Spreading the word about our work
Even sharing our story helps more people understand what these dogs do – and why it matters so much.
💚 Mobility Dogs – Extraordinary dogs trained to change lives.
To learn more, donate, or get involved, visit mobilitydogs.co.nz or follow us @MobilityDogsNZ.