Mobility Dogs has launched a nationwide awareness and education campaign to showcase its unique and vital role in supporting people living with disabilities, as well as providing therapeutic and companion dogs across Aotearoa New Zealand.
As one of just three organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand accredited by Assistance Dogs International, Mobility Dogs trains 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 shows that many people are still unaware of the full scope of Mobility Dogs’ work, with some even mistakenly associating the charity with unrelated canine organisations.
In response, the campaign aims to build greater public awareness of Mobility Dogs — showcasing the organisation’s impact across Aotearoa New Zealand and demonstrating how these extraordinary dogs provide far more than physical assistance, despite what the name might suggest.
A fully trained dog can take up to two years to train, and costs over $75,000 to raise, train, and support over its working lifetime. These extraordinary dogs offer not only practical help – such as retrieving items, opening doors, and navigating public spaces for people living with long-term disabilities – but they also offer emotional support, social confidence, and companionship.
As one client put it, “My Mobility Dog is my everything.”
Mobility Dogs also trains Therapy Dogs for environments such as courts, schools, and clinical settings, as well as Companion Dogs that support families or individuals with ongoing, non-complex health needs — bringing comfort and assistance to the whole household, not just one person. All Mobility Dogs receive the same rigorous, specialist training to ensure they provide calm, reliable support and companionship, even in high-stress or challenging situations.
Currently, 64 dogs are actively working across Aotearoa New Zealand, either providing vital support to their partners or fulfilling their specialised roles. Through their daily presence in the community, the lives of partners, their families and friends, volunteer programmes, and initiatives such as Puppies in Prison, Mobility Dogs has positively impacted more than 100,000 people nationwide.
Mobility Dogs operates independently and is not affiliated with any other service dog organisations and does not receive any government funding. In a sector still in need of significant support, Mobility Dogs plays a pivotal role in bridging a critical gap. Providing this specialised service comes with substantial cost and complexity – yet its impact on lives is far-reaching and transformative.
“There are very few organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand training the wide range of service dogs that we do,” says General Manager Jody Wilson. “Demand is growing, and the difference these dogs make is profound. This campaign is about helping more New Zealanders understand why these dogs matter — and why their support is vital to keep this work going.”
The campaign encourages individuals, schools, workplaces, and community groups to learn more, engage with the charity, and help champion the role of Mobility Dogs across the motu.
💚 Mobility Dogs – Extraordinary dogs trained to change lives.
To find out more or to donate visit mobilitydogs.co.nz or follow @MobilityDogsNZ
