OUR FUTURE
THE NEW HOME OF EXTRAORDINARY
After years of careful planning, preparation and consideration, Lions Assistance Dogs has embarked on its biggest change yet. As of June 2026, the National Training Centre based in Verdun, South Australia, will undergo a full $16 million redevelopment. This groundbreaking new build is anticipated to be completed by 2028.
This new purpose-built facility will enable Lions Assistance Dogs to expand training capacity, reduce waiting times and support more Australians to live safely, confidently, and independently.
To commemorate the start of this remarkable journey, we held our Sod Turning Ceremony on the 21st of May 2026. read more about our special day of celebration, here.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Demand for Assistance Dogs continues to grow across Australia, with some waiting times approaching three years. Within our current National Training Centre, we are restricted by limitations, hindering our ability to meet these increasing demands. These infrastructure limitations affect breeding, scale, training capacity and workforce expansion.
The redevelopment removes these limitations, ensuring a permanent national training centre of excellence for Assistance Dog training, placement and innovation.
Ultimately, we will see a capacity growth from 30-40 placements annually growing to 120 annually, tripling the output of Assistance Dogs to those in need across Australia.
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE
Effectively by 2037, Lions Assistance Dogs will have an estimated cumulative economic value of $528 million. This is an outstanding outcome that will inevitably reflect the achievements of this incredible redevelopment.
In addition to this, the new centre will include:
- Integrated breeding & kennel facilities
- Real-world domestic simulation training environments
- On-site Veterinary triage
- Purpose-built enrichment spaces for best-practice socialisation
- Multi-use community spaces
- Expanded operational and volunteer infrastructure
This project is being made possible through the generosity of donors, partners, volunteers and the wider community. If you wish to know more about the key facts, click the button below to download our fact sheet for The New Home of Extraordinary.
If you wish to support the National Training Centre Redevelopment or would simply like to know more, please contact:
Alix Katala | Development Director
alix@lionsassistancedogs.com.au
or
Kay Schubach | Partnerships and Philanthropy Lead
kay@lionsassistancedogs.com.au
Alternatively, you can make a donation to the redevelopment campaign online.