By Jena Carr
A Geelong West assistance dog is celebrating a third-place win in a nationwide competition to find the top office and working dogs.
Labrador Red was announced OZTOPDOG’s People’s Choice third-place winner on Monday, September 2, for his help to owner Penny Dorgan.
Ms Dorgan battels a rare autoimmune disease called catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, which causes multi-organ failure. She said her life changed six months ago when Red came into her life.
“For the past 13 years, I have been confined to a wheelchair and tied to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day, since having a stroke at age 36,” she said.
“Eight years ago, everything got worse. My marriage broke up. I left the workforce due to harassment and bullying. I was depressed and suicidal. Life was not worth living.
“Red has been trained in remarkable ways to not only provide sensory and motor assistance, but also to look after my health and wellbeing. Red fits seamlessly into my daily routines.”
Ms Dorgan said Red completed many tasks for her, like opening and closing gates and doors, bringing her items, helping with household and daily chores, and providing emotional support.
“Since having Red, I have returned to paid employment four days a week… He is literally my hands and my feet when my own limbs cannot or will not oblige,” she said.
“Together, we are a united, strong team, successfully starting and finishing jobs. Red and I continue to strengthen our partnership as Red is learning to do more and more things.
“He is my constant companion, loving me unconditionally and always at my side, even when not in his working harness. He knows me and reads my needs and moods better than any human being.”
