Raising Assistance Dogs × The Good Dog Newcastle × Story Dogs
Agreement for Successful Story Dogs Pathway Applicants
Congratulations Fiona and thank you for your commitment to raising your puppy — currently known as
Pancake, though you are warmly welcome to choose a name that feels right for your family.
We are excited to support you as part of this collaborative pathway with the shared goal of raising a
calm, confident, and well-supported dog who may one day make a meaningful impact in the
community by supporting children in building confidence and enjoyment in reading through the Story Dogs program.
We recognise the time, care, consistency, and dedication involved in raising a young puppy and are
grateful for your willingness to invest in Pancake’s development, wellbeing, and future potential.
This agreement has been designed to create clear expectations while supporting a positive and
collaborative partnership between all parties involved.
1. Purpose of This Agreement
This agreement outlines the shared understanding, responsibilities, expectations, and support
structure between:
Raising Assistance Dogs
Story Dogs
The Good Dog Newcastle
The Approved Applicant / Handler Family
The purpose of this pathway is to collaboratively support the raising, development, training, and
assessment of a purpose-bred puppy, with the shared goal of the dog and handler team successfullyprogressing through training and assessment with the aim of participating in school-based reading
sessions through the Story Dogs program.
This agreement is intended to create clear expectations, support positive communication, protect the
wellbeing of the dog, and support the long-term success of the partnership.
2. Parties to the Agreement
Raising Assistance Dogs
A community-focused puppy development initiative supporting purpose-bred puppies from proven
service dog lines through early development, family placement, and pathway partnerships.
Story Dogs
An established literacy support program that partners volunteer handlers and dogs with schools to
support children in building confidence and enjoyment in reading.
The Good Dog Newcastle
A professional training provider supporting the applicant and puppy through training, behavioural
guidance, assessment preparation, and pathway suitability.
The Applicant / Handler Family
The approved family or individual selected to raise, train, and participate in the pathway alongside
the puppy.
3. Nature of the ProgramThe Applicant acknowledges and agrees that:
This is a structured developmental and training pathway.
Participation in the program does not guarantee accreditation, certification, school placement, or
final acceptance into Story Dogs.
All dogs progress at different rates and suitability for future roles may vary.
Decisions relating to suitability, training progression, welfare, and role placement may involve
input from all participating organisations.
The welfare of the dog will remain the highest priority throughout the pathway.
4. Puppy Ownership and Care
Pancake will be legally transferred into the Applicant’s ownership and care and will be considered the
Applicant’s family dog.
The parties acknowledge that the intention of this pathway is for the Applicant and Pancake to
participate in the recommended training, development, and assessment process with the shared goal
of progressing toward participation within the Story Dogs program once accredited.
The Applicant acknowledges that:
Pancake will live as a companion family dog within the Applicant household.
Participation in training and pathway development is an important part of this agreement.
Accreditation and future role suitability cannot be guaranteed.
The welfare and long-term wellbeing of Pancake remain the highest priority.
Daily Care Responsibilities of the Applicant
The Applicant agrees to:
Provide a safe, loving, and stable home environment.
Ensure the puppy lives as a household companion and family dog.
Provide appropriate daily exercise, enrichment, rest, and socialisation.Follow feeding, veterinary, and healthcare recommendations.
Maintain the puppy at a healthy body condition.
Use force-free, reward-based training methods.
Not use aversive training equipment or harsh correction methods.
Notify the program team promptly regarding any health or behavioural concerns.
Maintain secure fencing and safe containment.
Ensure the puppy is not intentionally placed into unsafe, overwhelming, or inappropriate
situations.
**5. Training Commitment & Puppy Raising
Support**
The Applicant acknowledges that consistent training, structure, and handler participation are essential
to the pathway.
As part of this collaborative program, Pancake may participate in structured puppy raising and/or
stay-and-train support with The Good Dog Newcastle.
Puppy Raising Stay & Train Support
The Good Dog Newcastle provides a structured home-based puppy raising environment focused on
early development, confidence building, socialisation, and foundational training.
During stay-and-train periods, Pancake will become part of the trainer’s household and daily routine.
Training and development may include:
Basic obedience foundations (sit, stay, recall, loose lead walking)
Toilet training
Handling and grooming preparation
Socialisation to people, environments, suitable dogs, and other animals
Household manners and calm indoor behaviour
Confidence building and enrichment
Independence developmentExposure to real-world environments and experiences
Support toward specific pathway goals discussed collaboratively between the parties
Regular updates regarding progress and development
The Applicant agrees to:
Participate in scheduled training sessions with The Good Dog Newcastle.
Practise recommended training exercises between sessions.
Maintain ongoing communication regarding progress and challenges.
Support Pancake’s calm, confident, and socially appropriate development.
Attend assessments, evaluations, or suitability reviews where requested.
Commit to the time, consistency, and structure required for the pathway.
Maintain consistency with training guidance once Pancake returns home following any stay-and-
train period.
The Good Dog Newcastle agrees to:
Provide professional guidance and training support.
Use force-free, reward-based training methods.
Provide a safe, structured, family home environment.
Support the handler team using positive reinforcement-based methods.
Provide honest feedback regarding suitability and progression.
Assist with preparation for Story Dogs pathway expectations and assessments.
Include a handover session following any structured stay-and-train placement.
The Applicant acknowledges that:
Training and socialisation involve normal risks associated with raising and developing puppies.
Puppies are individuals and no guarantee can be made regarding specific training outcomes,
accreditation, or future working suitability.
Ongoing consistency at home is essential to support long-term success.
6. Story Dogs Participation
Story Dogs agrees to:Provide information regarding the Story Dogs volunteer pathway.
Support the assessment and onboarding process where appropriate.
Provide program expectations, volunteer requirements, and operational guidelines.
Determine final suitability and placement decisions relating to the Story Dogs program.
Provide ongoing support, guidance, and access to appropriate resources following successful
accreditation.
The applicant Fiona Mackertich agrees to:
Undertake and complete all required training milestones under the guidance of The Good Dog
Newcastle, including working with Mel Daly, to support Pancake’s development in line with
therapy dog standards.
Participate in a formal Story Dogs assessment at approximately 12 months of age to determine
suitability as an accredited Volunteer Story Dog Team within the Newcastle region.
Subject to successful accreditation, commit to volunteering within the Story Dogs program for a
minimum period of twelve (12) months.
Participate in weekly school-term reading support sessions at an agreed school, day, and time,
generally involving approximately two (2) hours per week with approximately six (6) to seven (7)
students.
The Applicant Fiona Mackertich acknowledges that:
Final acceptance into Story Dogs remains at the discretion of Story Dogs.
Additional volunteer requirements, assessments, or documentation may apply.
School placements may depend on location, availability, and program needs.
If reasonable efforts are made but Pancake and Fiona do not meet the required assessment
standards, they will be released from obligations relating to participation as an accredited
Volunteer Story Dog Team.
Story Dogs agrees to:
Provide information regarding the Story Dogs volunteer pathway.
Support the assessment and onboarding process where appropriate.
Provide program expectations, volunteer requirements, and operational guidelines.
Determine final suitability and placement decisions relating to the Story Dogs program.The Applicant Fiona Mackertich acknowledges that:
Final acceptance into Story Dogs remains at the discretion of Story Dogs.
Additional volunteer requirements, assessments, or documentation may apply.
School placements may depend on location, availability, and program needs.
7. Health and Veterinary Care
As Pancake is considered the Applicant’s dog, all ongoing health, veterinary, preventative care,
grooming, insurance, and wellbeing responsibilities remain with the Applicant.
This includes responsibility for:
Veterinary consultations and treatment
Vaccinations
Parasite prevention
Emergency care
Medications
Grooming and maintenance
Desexing where applicable
Ongoing wellbeing and fitness
Pet insurance is strongly recommended.
8. Public Representation and Social Media
The Applicant acknowledges that this pathway may be publicly referenced as part of community
education, storytelling, or program promotion.
The Applicant agrees that:
Photos or videos may be shared by participating organisations with consent.
Public statements regarding the pathway should remain respectful and accurate.
The puppy should not be represented as a certified assistance dog or accredited Story Dogunless officially approved.
Program branding and logos may not be used commercially without permission.
9. Welfare and Suitability
All parties agree that the welfare of the dog takes priority over pathway outcomes.
If concerns arise regarding:
The wellbeing of the dog
The suitability of the home environment
Training participation
Behavioural progression
Safety concerns
Communication breakdown
The participating organisations may collaboratively review the placement and determine appropriate
next steps.
Possible outcomes may include:
Additional training support
Temporary pause in pathway progression
Alternative role recommendations
Withdrawal from the pathway
Return or rehoming discussions where applicable
10. Return and Rehoming
If the Applicant becomes unable to continue participating in the program or home circumstances
change, the Applicant agrees to first notify Raising Assistance Dogs. Rehoming support will be
provided for any change of circumstances and private rehoming is not permitted:Raising Assistance Dogs
Rachel McKenzie: 0433541445
The parties agree to work together in good faith to determine an appropriate outcome that
prioritises the welfare of the dog.
11. Communication Expectations
All parties agree to maintain respectful, honest, and timely communication.
The Applicant agrees to:
Respond to important communication within a reasonable timeframe.
Provide updates regarding major health or behavioural developments.
Communicate early if challenges arise.
The organisations agree to:
Provide clear guidance and expectations.
Maintain supportive and respectful communication.
Work collaboratively in the best interests of the dog and pathway.
12. Financial Responsibilities
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Applicant acknowledges and agrees that all financial
responsibilities associated with Pancake’s ongoing care, training, health, wellbeing, equipment,
grooming, veterinary care, insurance, transport, and participation in the pathway program remain the
responsibility of the Applicant.
This includes ongoing costs associated with maintaining Pancake’s physical health, training
progression, and suitability for participation within the Story Dogs pathway.**13. Program Withdrawal**
Any party may withdraw from the pathway if:
The welfare of the dog is compromised.
Program expectations are not being met.
Safety concerns arise.
The pathway is no longer considered suitable.
Where possible, concerns should first be discussed collaboratively and respectfully.
14. Acknowledgement
By selecting: I agree, the parties acknowledge that they:
Have read and understood this agreement.
Understand the developmental nature of the pathway.
Understand that no guarantee of final accreditation or placement is being made.
Agree to prioritise the welfare of the dog.
Agree to work collaboratively and respectfully throughout the pathway.