Welcome
Welcome to the 2025 ADI Trainers’ Workshop in beautiful Victoria, Australia! We’re thrilled to have you join us for this inspiring, hands-on event exploring The Lifecycle of Assistance Dogs and to make your experience seamless, our event landing page provides the full daily schedule so you can easily see what’s happening next.
Guide Dogs Victoria is delighted to host this year’s workshop, providing the perfect setting to learn, collaborate, and celebrate our shared mission. This event is also a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers from across the globe – sharing knowledge, insights, and experiences that strengthen our collective expertise. Whether you’re learning in sessions, observing demonstrations, or exchanging ideas over coffee, we hope you leave inspired and empowered to continue advancing the incredible work of training assistance dogs.
Day 1
Arrival and Connection
2:30 PM Registration Opens BAEC
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Campus Tours
Discover the heart of GDV with guided tours of key facilities, from our nursery and kennels to client spaces and veterinary services.
2:40 PM – Wayfinding Features, Shelley
3:00 PM – Residential Tour, Luke
3:20 PM – Vet, Janice
3:40 PM -Nursery, Lyn
4:00 PM – Kennels, Di
4:20 PM – Dog training plaza (Houndztooth), Rachael Tricarico
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Welcome Reception: Building Our Community
Day 2
Building Strong Foundations
8:00AM Coffee & Social Catchup
9:00 – 9:30 AM Welcome Speeches
Nicky Long GDV
Damien Papps ADI
David Locklin
9:30 – 10:00 AM Foundations for Success: Puppy Nurturing and Early Development
Exploring the critical first months of a puppy’s journey and the practices that shape their long-term success.
Speaker: Emily Wilkes Guide Dogs Victoria
10:00 – 10:30 AM Hands-On Learning: Puppy Nurturing in Practice (Part I)
Practical sessions guided by experienced nursery staff and volunteers, putting theory into action with young pups.
10:30 AM Morning Tea Break
11:00 AM 2 Minute Silence: Remembrance Day
11:02 AM – 11:20 AM Hands-On Learning: Puppy Nurturing in Practice (Part II)
Practical sessions guided by experienced nursery staff and volunteers, putting theory into action with young pups.
11:20 AM – 11:30 AM Question time
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Panel: Puppy Raiser Recruitment and Retention
Edmund Sullivan Guide Dogs New South Wales
Anita Baumann Guide Dogs Western Australia
Facilitated by Kim Ryan Guide Dogs WA/TAS
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Safeguarding Wellbeing: Canine Welfare in Focus
Examining best-practice approaches to ensure the physical and emotional welfare of working dogs throughout their careers.
Speaker: Dr Mia Cobb University of Melbourne
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Cooperative Care: Building Trust Through Handling
An introduction to cooperative care principles and how they foster positive experiences in routine health and grooming.
Speaker: Sue Jaensch Zoos Victoria
3:00 PM Afternoon Break
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Training Pathways: Preparing Dogs for Diverse Careers
Exploring task training tailored for PTSD Service Dog Tasks.
Speaker: Tiffany Penny LifeUnleashed by Integra Service Dogs Australia
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM Hands-On Learning: Career-Specific Task Training
Practical breakout sessions where participants engage with targeted training tasks that shape career readiness.
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM Training Pathways: Preparing Dogs for Diverse Careers
Exploring task training tailored for Service Dogs.
Speaker: Cecilia Navaro See Differently
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM Hands-On Learning: Career-Specific Task Training
Practical breakout sessions where participants engage with targeted training tasks that shape career readiness.
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM Wrap-Up: Reflections and Key Takeaways
Chance to share insights, ask questions, and consolidate learning from the day.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Evening Social: Connections Beyond Work
Gather, relax and enjoy informal networking with peers at a local venue (not compulsory)
Venue: Skinny Dog Hotel, 155 High Street, Kew
Day 3
Advancing Practice and Lifelong Impact
8:00 AM Coffee & Social Catchup
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Career Opportunities: A Dogs Choice
Insights into work as a Hearing Dog
Speaker: Yoshiko Paku GDSDHD Association of Japan
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Hands-On Learning: Tasks of a Hearing Dog
Applying strategies to prepare a dog to respond to specific tasks
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Morning Break
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM TAGteach: Enhancing Learning Through Positive Reinforcement
Understanding how TAGteach supports both people and dogs in structured learning environments.
Speaker: Jade Fountain Animal Behaviour Matters
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Hands-On Learning: TAGteach with People
Applying TAGteach methods in practical exercises to strengthen communication and instruction skills.
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Life Beyond the Coat: Off-Duty Behaviour
Exploring how dogs thrive outside of work, with insights on managing play, rest, and family life.
Speaker: Kate Mornement Pets Behaving badly
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch Break
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Hands-On Learning: Off-Duty Behaviour in Context
Practical exercises to observe and shape desirable off-duty behaviours in dogs.
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Client Empowerment: Clicker Training for Client Teaching
Techniques to empower clients through effective use of the clicker as a communication tool.
Speaker: Wendy Haecker Guide Dogs Victoria
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Afternoon Break
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Hands-On Learning: Client Clicker Coaching
Practical breakout sessions applying clicker training in client-focused contexts.
4:15 PM – 4:45 PM The Road to Retirement: Supporting Dogs and Handlers
A heartfelt exploration of the transition from working life to retirement, with client testimonials on the challenges and rewards of this stage.
Speaker: Wendy Haecker Guide Dogs Victoria
4:45 PM – 5:00 Closing Session: Reflections and Future Directions
Summarising key learnings, celebrating achievements, and setting our sights on the next chapter.
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