TREAT packages dispatched by the Glen Innes RSPCA to war dogs working in Afghanistan have set off a chain of events which now sees the Glen Innes Severn community supporting an initiative to match returned soldiers with RSPCA rescue dogs as companion animals.
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Fourteen-year army veteran and dog handler Murray Young received one of those packages during one of his two tours of duty in the war zone. Now settled in Glen Innes he is working with the local RSPCA to spearhead the project, and Rosie is the first dog selected.
Rosie is a special dog destined for specialthings, according to Mr Young.
Her petite stature, enthusiastic face and exuberantly friendly personality are traits that Mr Young was seeking. Rosie fits the bill nicely and although her training is in the very early stages, she is showing all the signs of becoming an excellent companion for a returned soldier in need of company or indeed therapy in the form of a loving pet.
Her Border Collie and Kelpie heritage is expressed not only in her coat colour and physique, but also in her enthusiastic working dog attitude towards the world around her.
“We wanted the public to know where their donations are going and follow the progress of Rosie and any future dogs we manage to train,” Glen Innes RSPCA representative Mrs Fraser said.
Mr Young was the focus of a talk he gave at the Glen Innes and District Services Club back in June enlightening guests on his experiences in the
Australian Army, particularly the Explosive Detection Dog Section where he was assigned to the training of military dogs, and the work he did in Sarbi.
He held the audience enthralled with his presentation, and although this was of interest, the main purpose of the event was to help raise funds to go towards the training and placement of companion dogs such as Rosie.
As the stories of dogs and other animals in war service take a more prominent place in the public arena, the work of such animals is gaining recognition in the form of publications such as
Saving Private Sarbi written by Sandra Lee. The dog featured in this exciting story was initially trained by Mr Young to perform its duties as a war dog.
No-one can be sure what the effects of war service are for animals, but most seem to come out the other side with minimal ill effects. They respond to kindness and this in itself seems to be a vehicle to a healthy rehabilitation process for them. This could be a similar pathway for soldiers as the companions, such as Rosie, they are partnered with will shower them with affection.
“The most difficult part of this process will be identifying a local person that Rosie can be partnered compatibly with,” Mr Young said.
“Rosie’s training is coming along really well. She’s still young, but she is responding well to the basic training so far.”
The Glen Innes RSL sub-branch has been a major supporter of this project and will be accepting donations towards Rosie’s future and others as they become a valuable element in the rehabilitation of soldiers. Enquiries can also be made at the Glen Innes branch of the RSPCA.
