Governor-General meets his four-legged namesakes.

Embargoed 10^th July; 10.30am.

On Friday 10^th July at 10.30am, morning tea will be held at Admiralty House, Kirribilli, with special guests from Assistance Dogs Australia.

As Patron of Assistance Dogs Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) has invited volunteers, clients and supporters of the charity to Kirribilli House for a double celebration. The event welcomes a litter of future super-puppies into the program, and launches the new work of Assistance Dogs Australia, placing dogs with with sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

As a surprise to the Governor-General, Assistance Dogs Australia will be revealing the names of two of their 12 week old puppies, named General and Cosgrove.  Presenting the puppies to their namesake will be detainees from Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre in Kariong, who have been specially chosen to raise these puppies in the Juvenile Justice Centre as part of a rehabilitative program.

Also attending the morning tea will be Assistance Dogs Australia’s newest client, Rob, a Victorian police officer and his wife Chrysti, who are visiting Sydney to meet their new PTSD Assistance Dog, Jimmy, for the first time. This is the fourth PTSD Assistance Dog that the charity has placed, free of charge, to military men and servicemen suffering with the disorder. As Former Defence Chief and a military man himself, Assistance Dogs Australia is very excited to have the Governor-General announce this new line of work.

Photographers and members of the press are invited to attend the event. No identifying photographs to be taken of representatives from the Juvenile Justice Centre. Please confirm if you will be attending.

Assistance Dogs Australia: Founded in 1996, Assistance Dogs Australia is a national charity which trains Labradors and Golden Retrievers to help people with disabilities, providing them with greater freedom and independence. Dogs are placed free of charge, to a wide range of clients, including families with autism, post-traumatic stress sufferers and wheelchair users. It costs in excess of $27,000 to train and place a dog, and Assistance Dogs Australia receives no government funding.