Jamie is determined to achieve her goals.

Queenslander Jamie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 18 months old.

Jamie cannot walk and has significant struggles with her body movement. Her legs are often very stiff and difficult to control. She has muscle spasms every few minutes, and she has no idea how painful each one could be.

Today, at age 21, Jamie is an aspiring Paralympian swimmer and holds the Australian records for the S2 50 metre backstroke in both short and long course formats.

Not only is she working hard at her dream of becoming a Paralympian, she is also getting ready to move into a place of her own later this year.

Gus, her Assistance Dog, is instrumental in helping Jamie achieve her goals. With his help, she can do more things on her own and be more in control of her life.

These are some of the skills that Assistance Dogs learn

• Retrieving dropped items and phones.
• Pulling washing out of front loader machines.
• Accompanying their owner on public transport.
• Opening and closing doors.
• Alert barking if their owner falls out of their wheelchair.
• Pressing buttons at traffic lights and in lifts.
• Bracing when needed for support.
• Delivering and retrieving items at the shop counter.

These are some of the ways that life gets better with an Assistance Dog:

• Increased ability to gain employment.
• Reduction in medication use and suicide.
• Reduction in carer hours and other medical support.
• Increased independence.
• Improved mental health.
• More cohesive family.

We need your help

Five people living with a disability have been waiting too long for an Assistance Dog — and the freedom, independence, and joy that comes with one.

We need to raise $202,500 before June 30 to train five Assistance Dogs for five Aussies.

Will you please send another compassionate donation today so people like Jamie can have the fair go at the life they deserve?

Jamie is determined to achieve her goals.

Queenslander Jamie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 18 months old.

Jamie cannot walk and has significant struggles with her body movement. Her legs are often very stiff and difficult to control. She has muscle spasms every few minutes, and she has no idea how painful each one could be.

Today, at age 21, Jamie is an aspiring Paralympian swimmer and holds the Australian records for the S2 50 metre backstroke in both short and long course formats.

Not only is she working hard at her dream of becoming a Paralympian, she is also getting ready to move into a place of her own later this year.

Gus, her Assistance Dog, is instrumental in helping Jamie achieve her goals. With his help, she can do more things on her own and be more in control of her life.

These are some of the skills that Assistance Dogs learn:

• Retrieving dropped items and phones.
• Pulling washing out of front loader machines.
• Accompanying their owner on public transport.
• Opening and closing doors.
• Alert barking if their owner falls out of their wheelchair.
• Pressing buttons at traffic lights and in lifts.
• Bracing when needed for support.
• Delivering and retrieving items at the shop counter.

These are some of the ways that life gets better with an Assistance Dog:

• Increased ability to gain employment.
• Reduction in medication use and suicide.
• Reduction in carer hours and other medical support.
• Increased independence.
• Improved mental health.
• More cohesive family.

We need your help

Five people living with a disability have been waiting too long for an Assistance Dog — and the freedom, independence, and joy that comes with one.

We need to raise $202,500 before June 30 to train five Assistance Dogs for five Aussies.

Will you please send another compassionate donation today so people like Jamie can have the fair go at the life they deserve?