CASE STUDIES
LIONS ASSISTANCE DOGS CASE STUDIES
With over 700 Assistance Dog partnerships Australia-wide, we have so many wonderful stories of success to share on behalf of the incredible recipients we work with. Read our case studies to learn more.
Featured are just a few stories that can give you a sneak peek at just how impactful each Assistance Dog is for their recipient, whether it be in our Hearing Assistance Dog program or Medical Assistance Dog program.
HEARING ASSISTANCE DOGS
KERRY & HARLEY
Kerry wasn’t born with a hearing impairment, but in 2019 her world changed dramatically. Following a diagnosis of a very rare tumour, she began to lose her hearing rapidly. Prior to this, Kerry had lived a vibrant life as a choreographer, director, dancer, actor, teacher and former ice skater. Theatre was a massive part of her life, one she shared with her wonderful husband Greg. Together they’ve raised two beautiful adult children and are proud grandparents to two fantastic teenage grandchildren.
By 2021, Kerry's hearing was almost entirely gone. She underwent surgery for bilateral cochlear implants, but the result wasn’t what she’d hoped for. Sound became an unnatural experience, making once-loved outings and social occasions feel overwhelming.
Kerry didn’t just lose her hearing—she lost her confidence, her sense of self, and much of the world she once embraced. “I had experienced some extremely rude people who accused me of being stupid, deaf, even drunk, as I had not heard them addressing me,” she recalls. “I was knocked over by a cyclist on a shared walking/cycling path as I could not hear their bike bell and now have limited balance due to hearing loss.”
Her social and physical wellbeing began to decline. Kerry avoided most social situations—especially anything with more than a few people. Even trips to the shops became stressful. “People can be quite cruel when they can’t see an obvious disability,” she says. “I have been accused of being ‘stupid’, ‘dumb’, and other nasty words.”
That’s when Greg made the decision to contact Australian Lions Hearing Dogs. He arranged a visit for the two of them to see a Hearing Assistance Dog in action at the ALHD Training Centre in Verdun. The experience left them both impressed and hopeful. Kerry was uncertain if she could manage a dog, but ultimately decided to apply and join the waiting list. She began to adjust to the idea of having a furry companion.
The stars soon aligned. The perfect dog became available earlier than expected, and before long, Harley arrived with his trainer for delivery week. Over the following days, Kerry and Harley worked together on sound alerts, public behaviour, and household routines. They visited the local vet, pet store, and groomer—and even had a visit from three Blackwood Lions volunteers, who supported their journey and explained the marking system used to track training progress.
Since his arrival in April, Harley has completely changed Kerry’s life.
“Harley has been a life changer for me,” Kerry says. “He alerts me to so many sounds—doorbells, door knocks, smoke detectors, alarm clock, oven timer—and he’s acquiring new sounds to identify as we work together. Recently we’ve added the microwave, Thermomix, and bicycle bells!”
A typical day now starts with Harley waking Kerry with a gentle ‘touch’ alert when her alarm goes off—followed, of course, by a treat. Then it’s off for a morning walk or some backyard zoomies if the weather isn’t kind. “He is making me exercise,” she says. “I had retreated from daily walks on shared paths after being knocked over by cyclists. Harley senses when a cyclist is nearby and pulls me out of the way—even when he’s not ‘on duty’.”
Kerry makes sure Harley goes somewhere in uniform every day—be it the shops, a café, an appointment or a friend’s house. “At 4pm, Harley invariably does a touch signal on my knee and leads me to the pantry… it’s his dinner time! He trots around after me most of the day, quite happily following me from room to room as I go about daily tasks.”
At home, Kerry no longer burns her cakes or scones—thanks to Harley’s keen listening and alerts. She even uses the “go get” command to fetch Greg when needed. This proved especially helpful during a recent medical episode, when Harley was able to alert Greg for assistance.
Their bond is unbreakable. “Harley is my ‘woolly ears’, my furry, four-footed friend. He knows if I’m down and he lifts me up. He has given me the confidence to enter back into the public realm, to slowly make my world a bit bigger every day, and accept that my life is just different—not diminished.”
Kerry also delights in Harley’s playful personality. “He is so cheeky! I love that about him. If I don’t get up straight away after he wakes me in the morning, he’ll wait ten minutes and try again. If I’m still not out of bed, he becomes more insistent—jumping up on top of me and giving my face a wash. He’s even gently grabbed my hand and tried to pull me out of bed. Harley is a unique ‘snooze button’. How clever… how cheeky!”
In public, Harley’s presence has made a huge difference. “People are kinder, more understanding and forgiving if I am unaware of something or someone. I am often given right of way in the supermarket. When Harley isn’t with me, people ask where he is—he’s becoming quite the celebrity!”
Kerry has also become an ambassador of sorts for ALHD. “In public, when Harley is in his uniform, I’ve found that people smile when they see him and stop to ask me questions about how he helps. It gives me a chance to talk about ALHD and the incredible work the organisation is doing for people across Australia. I end my spiel with, ‘Buy the Lions Christmas cakes and puddings—because Harley is made of glacé fruit and spices!’”
These days, Kerry enjoys sitting in the garden with Harley, watching him explore with curiosity and joy. “Harley has restored a lot of my confidence and faith in other people. He makes me smile every day. And he’s so wonderfully cheeky. My woolly mate has given me back a sense of hope and joy and confidence in life. We will continue to grow together, learning how to navigate different situations and daily routines. He will continue to make me smile.”
JANE & WALTER
My name is Jane, I’m 31 years old, an Occupational Therapist and wedding celebrant, and I live with my beautiful partner, Allan. We’re about to move to Queensland, and I was born profoundly deaf.
When I was 22 months old, I received my first cochlear implant—technology so new at the time that I was told I was the youngest child to be implanted in Australia, even if only for a short while. My parents poured themselves into my development with hours of speech therapy, audiology appointments, and endless support. I was implanted on my left side at age 17, though I’ve chosen not to wear that one.
Reflecting on the evolution of hearing technology still amazes me—from the bulky body pack processors I wore in school to the now compact devices that sit neatly behind the ear. I love that babies are now being implanted even younger and bilaterally, with truly incredible results.
Growing up, I was fortunate to have a supportive environment. I attended mainstream schools, completed university, and now work full-time in the healthcare system. I’ve always been upfront about my hearing loss. While I don’t lead with it when introducing myself, it’s an important part of my life experience. I’ve learned to laugh at the misunderstandings, but I’ve also faced the frustration of falling behind in conversations, particularly in group settings.
The pandemic brought this sharply into focus. Masks became an unexpected barrier. Lip reading was something I knew I relied on—but it wasn’t until it was taken away that I realised how dependent I truly was on it. Trying to understand people with their mouths covered felt like watching a TV show with subtitles turned on, but no words appearing—just the indication that someone was speaking. Without visible lips, sound remained incomplete.
In work meetings, I struggled. I would spend precious time trying to work out who was speaking, relying on subtle body and facial movements, and then playing catch-up once I figured it out. I grew exhausted and self-conscious. Asking someone to lower their mask, particularly when COVID cases surged and N95s became standard, began to feel like too big an ask. I ended the year mentally drained, hoping things would ease. Instead, I was redeployed into the hospital wards, an even more intense and masked environment. Fortunately, my managers supported me in transitioning into a backend, non-patient-facing role.
The moment I knew I needed a Hearing Assistance Dog came when I was living alone. After dinner with friends, I came home, showered, and removed my cochlear implant for the night. I was in the kitchen, waiting for the kettle to boil and scrolling on my phone. Suddenly, I noticed movement—and saw three men standing inside my apartment. I froze in shock before realising they were Firefighters. I quickly explained I was deaf and fetched my implant. Only then did I hear the deafening sound of my smoke alarm. The Firefighters told me they’d knocked and called out, but I hadn’t reacted. There was no fire—just steam from my shower—but the incident left a lasting impact.
Ironically, I did the same thing a week before we welcomed Walter into our lives, but that time, it was Allan who alerted me to the smoke alarm. And that’s the difference Walter has made.
Walter, my darling Labradoodle, has been lifechanging. He brings so much love, comfort, and companionship into our home. Since having him, I’ve spent more time without my cochlear on while still feeling relaxed and safe—something I never thought possible. I used to constantly check the front door or investigate random sounds, always on edge. But now, I know Walter has me covered. He alerts me if there’s a knock, a sound, or anything I need to know. He’s given me peace.
One of the big reasons we applied for a Hearing Assistance Dog was the hope of having children one day. Knowing Walter will be there to help me hear a baby crying or respond to alarms gives me huge reassurance. Although I work full-time and perform weddings on weekends, I’m exploring ways Walter can also support my clients in therapy. We’re looking at further training so he can become a calming presence for those with trauma or mental health challenges, or even help children build motor skills or personal care routines through guided interaction with him.
Walter doesn’t just impact my life—he has the potential to support others, too.
His public access rights have also changed my life in ways I hadn’t anticipated. I remember a distressing experience at the airport where I was struggling to understand the check-in staff. I had rehearsed my lines in advance but hadn’t expected a question about sitting in the exit row. The staff member eventually yelled at me, saying she wouldn’t seat me there since I clearly couldn’t understand. It was humiliating, and for the rest of that flight, I felt small and anxious.
Since having Walter by my side, wearing his orange jacket, the shift has been remarkable. At cafes and supermarkets, people now ask if I’d prefer they lower their mask. They speak slower, more clearly, and directly to me. As a friend put it, I have an "invisible disability"—especially with my hair down and my strong verbal skills. But the concentration required to interact all day is immense, and having Walter makes those moments easier and less isolating.
That’s why I think it’s just extraordinary that Australian Lions Hearing Dogs has been providing Hearing Assistance Dogs for 40 years, with over 650 dogs placed in that time. It gives me goosebumps. I’ve seen firsthand how transformative this service is—for the individual, their families, and even for the broader community. Since getting Walter, I’ve wanted to tell everyone about the incredible team behind this—from the trainers to the sponsors, foster families, and every single person who helps get these dogs ready for their forever homes.
Walter is now in the final stages of his home-based training, and fittingly, he’s on track to become an accredited Hearing Dog on National Hearing Dog Day. Local Lions Club members are visiting us 3–4 times a week for training practice, helping ensure Walter will be ready for his official role.
There truly aren’t enough words to describe what this journey has meant to me. Walter has not only brought safety, confidence, and comfort into my life—but he represents the opportunity to do more, help more, and connect more deeply, every single day.
MEGAN & GEORGE
At just three months of age, it was discovered that Megan’s older brother was Deaf. By six months of age, Megan’s hearing was tested; she too, was Deaf. Their parents, wanting the best access to specialist services and schooling, relocated to inner Melbourne where Megan started at a School for the Deaf at 3.5 years of age.
Megan’s schooling experience began with fond memories in primary school, but by the time she was in grade 10 in a mainstream school, she was being excluded from social activities. “Friends were not asking me to the movies, and during conversations, when I asked what people were talking about, I would be told ‘it does not matter’ and it was ‘not important’. I felt like I was seen to be an ‘annoyance’
At this point, Megan made a decision to move back to a College for the Deaf; “I grew up oral, but at the time it was a signing school. It did not take me long to learn Auslan (I knew the basics) and I felt that I was able to fit in quickly. I felt that I was included and was no longer missing out”.
Before getting her first Hearing Assistance Dog, Jonesy, Megan had heard of Hearing Dogs; a staff member at the College for the Deaf had a Hearing Dog called Bubbles.
Just prior to turning 30, Megan was living on her own and over time had become fearful about fires, especially at night without having any assistive technology. “I had frequent nightmares about my place catching fire and bushfires. Whilst we have smoke alarms available for people who are Deaf, I did not trust them”. Megan also has Usher Syndrome, and as such is legally blind. “I thought a Hearing Dog would be of benefit for me, alerting me to sounds that I may not hear or see (e.g. flashing alerts or someone trying to get my attention).”
Not long after, Megan met Jonesy. Jonesy was Megan’ first Hearing Dog, a Kelpie x Fox Terrier rescue from a local South Australian shelter that was picked up as a stray. The trainers at Australian Lions Hearing Dogs selected him, as with many other dogs before, due to his overall aptitude.
Megan had 13 wonderful years with Jonesy as her Hearing Dog. Jonesy walked by Megan’s side as she travelled, worked, and lived independently throughout their partnership. Sadly, Jonesy passed soon after and Megan was left with a hole in her life, both emotionally and practically. After living so long with the support of a Hearing Dog, and with the commencement of Covid, Megan struggled with the isolation of living alone and feeling unsafe.
Along came George. George is a small, energetic and loving Hearing Dog that was carefully selected for Megan’s lifestyle. After experience two significant delays in George’s interstate delivery to Melbourne due to border closures, the decision was made to fly Megan over to South Australia and conduct our very first delivery where the recipient travels to us instead of us travelling to them.
“I flew to Adelaide three hours later. The next day, Victoria went into lockdown, and I met George! I am so grateful to ALHD and Nick, George’s Trainer who gave up his weekend to make George’s delivery a success. If I had not flown to Adelaide that day, I don’t think I would have met George for another 6 months after that when the borders finally opened up again.”
“Having a Hearing Assistance Dog has made such a huge difference to my life. I don’t feel that I have to constantly be on the lookout just because my ears and my eyes do not work as well as they should. Having George allows me to be able to relax at home as I know that he will alert me to a sound no matter where I am in the house – whether it is someone at the door, an alarm on my phone, the timer in the kitchen, or most importantly, the smoke alarm. I am able to have restful sleeps at night.”
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE DOGS
ELIZA & SAL
The first Lions Diabetic Alert Dog was delivered free-of-charge in 2012 in Adelaide, South Australia. For Eliza, receiving Sal was like two long lost friends finding one another.
‘I’ve wanted a Diabetic Alert Dog ever since I’ve heard of them. But I also knew it was an expensive process, plus getting the right dog… well, I never thought about it too much further.
Diabetes is a very expensive illness to live with. While it has been cheaper with the recent government subsidies, prior to this year, it probably costed me about seven grand a year just to live with diabetes. Adding the cost of training a dog, it was not sustainable, not on top of mortgage and everything else.
When I heard about the Lions Medical Alert Dog Program, well, I got in contact with Laura. And getting Sal has been great! She fits me so well. I just take her everywhere, it’s almost like having a a new baby! I get my little bag and off we go. Knowing that she isn’t just a best friend but could also save my life by bringing me lollies… it’s pretty astounding.
I think Sal has definitely bonded with me. I’m like her mum and she my daughter. Sal actually picked up my hypo (low blood glucose) since day one. Our first week together she had alerted to four hypo events. This happened while I was cooking or while we were out at a café; she knew her priorities even with all the smells around her. Plus, I can imagine my hypos would smell very different from the samples she was trained with, so for her to pick it up and come straight to me was pretty amazing.
I’m pretty confident with her stepping up and pressing the emergency button or getting my hypo kit if I need it. I’ve had her excitedly playing with her toys and everything when I pretended to pass out on the floor, she always run to the button. So yeah, no matter how distracted she is, I know she’ll be there for me.
In the past I’ve had a lot of hypos (low blood sugars) overnight that I didn’t wake up to. Luckily, I never ended up in the hospital, but I had family to rely on to wake me up each morning and see if I was alive. I was, obviously, but a lot of the times I could barely swallow! Knowing Sal picks up my hypos early on sort of takes that anxiety away. It earned me that peace of mind.
I also live a pretty active lifestyle; it helps me with my diabetes, but it can make things tough too. I play golf and cricket, and sometimes it can be very long games. This makes adjusting my insulin requirements accordingly a bit tough. Not only that, I can often go low, 6 or 12 hours down the track following exercise. Sal will certainly get rid of some of those worries especially when she picks up the hypos as early as she does. It will definitely help me as well as my performance; I’ll play better and feel better!
I work consulting in other people who also have diabetes. I’m hoping, with Sal alongside me, during these times she’ll pick up other people’s hypos as well as my own. I believe even just the excitement from people knowing that Diabetic Alert Dogs exist, people might show up to their appointments more and take their diabetes more seriously. We have two other staff members with type one diabetes as well. They’re really looking forward to having her there!
“Sal is my best little friend! I’m always so confident in my diabetes management because I know I have her support around me. I'm less anxious about hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) and feel as though I always have a companion to pick me up on the hard days!”
Eliza was our first Diabetic Alert Dog recipient, receiving ‘Sal’ in October of 2022 and they have been an unstoppable force ever since.
Eliza is a very busy young woman, being a Diabetic Nurse and Educator and busy with sports and social commitments, she often found it challenging to manage her type 1 diabetes on top of her already full schedule. Ever since Eliza heard that Diabetic Alert Dogs existed when she was just a kid – it was always a dream to have one. As there is usually a hefty cost involved, she didn’t know how she would be able to afford one.
Once Sal was placed with Eliza, she instantly gave her that piece of mind as well as being a lifesaving best friend.
Sal adapted to Eliza’s busy life very quickly and soon became the best new addition to the family. ‘I know that even if I’m tired or not feeling well, that she will be there with me to assist with some of the consuming tasks of living with diabetes. This includes monitoring and checking blood glucose levels, getting treatment for low levels, and being a companion on those tough days. I know she will keep me safe and happy through each day!’ Eliza thoroughly enjoys keeping active by playing sports such as cricket and golf and has even taken part in large fundraising extreme walks.
Sal even accompanies Eliza to work every day at the Women’s and Children's Hospital. As well as being Eliza's Assistance Dog, Sal plays a special role for Eliza's patients. Sal puts a smile on the face of everyone she meets and makes everyone’s time in the hospital a much more positive experience.
Sal assists Eliza to help manage living with type 1 diabetes every single day. Sal picks up Eliza’s low blood glucose levels multiple times a day as well as performing three tasks to keep Eliza safe throughout the day. These include the ‘HypoKit Retrieval’ in which Sal will go retrieve a small pencil case containing sugar sources all on the command ‘Bring’, ‘Get Help’ where Eliza can send Sal off for assistance from the closest person in the household. The last task is the ‘Emergency Button’ where if Eliza was to fall unresponsive, Sal would then press a big yellow button located on the wall which will notify a list of emergency contacts.
“Sal has picked up on multiple low blood glucose levels when I have not felt symptoms and my continuous glucose monitor has not picked up on it. She tells me early and I can start treatment before it becomes more serious!”
Living with diabetes is a very expensive chronic condition. It can cost thousands per year to have the best health management. Type 1 diabetes does not discriminate and people of all backgrounds and socially diverse groups are diagnosed every single day.
“Knowing that Lions Diabetic Alert Dogs are free of charge is life changing for so many who would not be able to afford the cost of training a dog through other companies!
It really is life-changing and something only possible through the generosity of Lions and ongoing donations and support!”
Type 1 diabetes is an invisible condition that is often not understood in the community – “Raising money to continue to be able to provide Diabetic Alert Dogs free of charge, will continue to change and save lives of people living with diabetes!”
Eliza’s one piece of advice for someone newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is -
“Don’t let diabetes define who you are! You can achieve anything you want despite this diagnosis! You are stronger because of type one diabetes!”
MARK & JOSIE
Diabetic Alert Dog, Josie, is a gorgeous miniature Labradoodle that was delivered to her recipient, Mark, in May of 2024. Before receiving Josie, Mark’s life was very quiet. It’s now filled lots of affection and energy from his newest companion, Josie.
Since Josie entered his life, Mark and his wife have since introduced many new daily routines. These include daily walks to keep them all fit and active, and lots of playtime between the pair. Their day-to-day also includes plenty of training, which all three of them thoroughly enjoy; especially Josie who is pictured helping Mark pick out her favourite treat.
Josie has helped Mark manage his life living with type 1 diabetes, by alerting him to Hypoglycaemic events (low blood glucose levels), along with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
One of the many things Mark likes about having Josie as his Assistance Dog is the companionship she provides. As a favourite of the staff and volunteers at ALHD, we can understand why!
OWEN & AIRLIE
Diabetic Alert Dog ‘Airlie’ was delivered to her recipient Owen in April of 2024. Airlie marked a significant milestone for the Diabetic Alert Dog program, as she was the first dog delivered interstate and our sixth dog overall delivered to a type 1 diabetic.
Airlie quickly blended in very nicely with Owen’s family and is the perfect fit as Owen’s Assistance Dog. Airlie also made friends with the family cats and loves to snuggle with them on cold winter nights. Now that Owen has Airlie, he is going on more walks which helps keep his blood glucose levels lower and also helps keep them both fit.
Airlie provides an extra level of comfort, especially when Owen is home alone. Knowing that Airlie can perform the ‘Emergency Button’ task and alert his Mum is a huge sense of relief for Owen and makes him feel safe.
Since receiving Airlie, there was one situation where Owen’s Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) was ‘out’ and he was hesitant to give himself extra insulin as he didn’t have his Blood Glucose Level Meter with him. Knowing that his Blood Glucose Levels were high from Airlie's alert, he was able to make necessary adjustments via his sugar sources.
Airlie is very funny, entertaining as well as high energy which is great for Owen's lifestyle. Her intelligence has given Owen and his family a great sense of security as well as a perfect addition to their family.
