Carla first discovered Mobility Dogs while watching the TV show Dog Squad: Puppy School – and she was instantly hooked. “My husband and I were watching with our young son, and we were so impressed by what we saw,” she says. “We really loved what the organisation stood for. We were looking for a way to teach our son about giving back to the community, and puppy raising felt like the perfect opportunity. We applied and never looked back!”.
Before long, the family welcomed their first puppy, Avery – a bright and affectionate golden retriever full of energy and curiosity. “Avery stayed with us the longest because of the COVID lockdowns,” Carla remembers. “It meant we spent even more time with her, watching her grow and learn every day. We built such a strong bond with her.”
Like every puppy raiser, Carla and her family quickly discovered that raising a future Mobility Dog is about so much more than cute cuddles. “It takes time, patience, and consistency,” she says. “But it’s so rewarding. You see this tiny puppy learning commands, building confidence, and starting to understand that they have a special purpose.”
Their second puppy, Armstrong, brought a whole new set of lessons – and laughter. “He was such a character,” Carla says with a smile. “Every dog has their own personality, and it’s amazing watching them grow into themselves. You start to see glimpses of the incredible working dogs they’ll become.”
Of course, the hardest part is always saying goodbye. “People often say, ‘I could never do that – I’d get too attached,’” Carla says. “And it’s true, you do get attached. But I always reminded myself of the bigger picture. These dogs are going on to change someone’s life. That makes every tear and every challenge completely worth it.”
For Carla, the experience didn’t just change her perspective – it changed her path. “Raising puppies made me realise how much I take for granted. It opened my eyes to the challenges people face every day, and it gave me such a deep sense of purpose.”
That purpose eventually led Carla to join the Mobility Dogs team as our Client Coordinator – helping to support clients from the moment they apply through every stage of their journey with their dog. “It feels like I’ve come full circle,” she says. “I get to see the other side now – the incredible partnerships that begin because of those first puppy raising steps.”