Waratah Puppies provides valuable information to families purchasing a puppy for a child with special needs.  Our puppies have made a difference in the lives of many children facing a range of health challenges including Autism, Asperger’s Sydnrome, ADHD, Developmental delays, Tourette’s Sydndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis (having had 40 operations before age of 10), Anxiety and Depression.

Waratah Puppies is proudly Australia’s No. 1 breeder of quality Cavoodle, and ‘oodle, puppies primarily for children on the Autism Spectrum and people living with anxiety, depression or PTSD.

All our puppies have basic obedience training (come, sit, walk on lose lead) before joining their new forever family.

We can also provide basic and advanced introduction to Assistance Dog training which will begin the puppy’s training towards being recognised as an Assistance Dog under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.    We are happy to liaise with training organisations or trainers who will continue your puppy’s training after they join your family.

Our business was established to bring the joys and benefits of a Cavoodle or Shoodle puppy to the lives of children on the Autism Spectrum or with other special needs.    We have first-hand experience with the benefits a puppy can bring to the life of a child on the Spectrum.

Research has shown a puppy can help:

• reduce sensory congestion
• provide safe connection
• build confidence
• encourage caring for others
• provide comfort

A well-behaved puppy with a calm, relaxed temperament can provide a calming influence to a child on the Spectrum. 

A puppy’s unconditional love can provide a child on the Autism Spectrum with positive and enjoyable connection.  Building on this connection, they can learn the skills needed to understand human interactions.   

Experiencing a positive relationship with a puppy can provide lots of opportunities to discuss ‘feelings’ which can help children better understand emotional issues.

Testimonial: 

31.1.19      Hi Kaylene, I have had a look at your website and we are very interested in getting a Cavoodle puppy.  I have 2 children, one of whom is very anxious and not confident with dogs at all.  We have been recommended the Cavoodle breed.  We have been talking to our son about getting a puppy and he likes the idea but is VERY scared of us getting an over excited dog.  Are there more placid dogs than others?  Can you tell this when they are puppies?  We appreciate your help and guidance with this, Kind regards M

I communicated with M by email and arranged for them to visit our property to meet some puppies – which would be done in a very calm, way giving the son as much distance from the puppies as he needed.  When they visited, I began by walking one of our older dogs around on a lead so the children could watch the dog from a little distance.  I then invited the daughter, Miss I, to walk the dog on a second lead with me.  We walked “Peachy” slowly around the property with the son, Master M, watching from the car.  After walking around the property a few times, Master M, asked if he could walk the dog holding the second lead too.  At first he was tentative, but gained in confidence as “Peachy” walked up and down the driveway with Master M and I holding a lead each.

Later we introduced the family to two cavoodle puppies in a play enclosure.  We talked about the behaviour we encourage and discourage in puppies while they played with toys.  Initially Master M was very anxious that the puppies might ‘get away’ if family members held them.  I assured him I could help keep the puppies from running away while his family had a cuddle.  We took one puppy out of the enclosure for cuddles.  Master M gained confidence as the puppies slept.  He enjoyed patting the puppies and started talking about which was his favourite.  The family left to make a decision on whether or not to purchase a puppy.   Apparently it was unanimous, with Master M voting strongly for a particular puppy so we were thrilled when they purchased one of our gorgeous cavoodle puppies and collected it the next day.  “Jasper” had a new family.

 

Later that night I received the following email ….

11.2.19  Hi Kaylene, Jasper is settling in very well and the kids just adore having him around.  Master M has been fantastic and trying very hard to stay calm when Jasper comes up to him.   Jasper slept through the night and had a little bark (only once) at 6am, obviously for the toilet.  There was no crying or whimpering through the night.  He has such a gorgeous personality, we are besotted.  Thanks again, Kind regards M 

15.2.19  Hi Kaylene, thank you for your lovely email.  Master M is getting better with Jasper day by day.  He has even allowed Jasper to sit on his lap on a pillow.  big steps.  It helps that Jasper is so calm and relaxed.  He is just divine and fitting in to our family so well.  Kind regards, M