Daughter’s therapy dog inspires mum to run for Guide Dogs in SunRun
02 February, 2011
Caption: Gordon's Heike Fabig and her daughter Billie with her Pets as Therapy Dog Jenna, as Heike prepares to run in Saturday's SunRun to raise funds for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Inspired by how a special therapy dog is helping her young daughter who has cerebral palsy, Gordon's Heike Fabig is running in the first Sydney Morning Herald SunRun to raise funds for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, which provided the dog for free.
Mrs Fabig said Jenna, the Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog, had brought a lot of joy and companionship to her four-and-a-half year old daughter, Billie, who relies on an electric wheelchair to move around.
"We are just thrilled with Jenna," said Mrs Fabig. "Being in a wheelchair makes it hard for Billie to interact with other children at her pre-school, but Jenna is a real drawcard, which helps to involve Billie.
"In return for the joy Jenna brings, and the fact she was provided free of charge, I am hoping to raise enough funds through the SunRun to enable Guide Dogs to buy another puppy, which costs around $1000."
Jenna, a former guide dog retired due to a health condition, was provided to Billie by the Guide Dogs' PAT program, which trains dogs to be companions for people who may be disadvantaged because of age, illness, disability or isolation.
But before Jenna was able to become a part of Billie's life, and to even contemplate participating in an event like the SunRun, Mrs Fabig underwent hypnotherapy to overcome a major hurdle, being heavily allergic to dogs.
Having cured the allergy and wanting to get fit, Mrs Fabig turned to running, but she had to start from scratch. In the last five months, she has gone from barely being able to jog for a minute to now running 10kms without stopping.
As a charity that is totally reliant on community support, Guide Dogs Fundraising Manager Alex Green encouraged people to get behind Mrs Fabig's SunRun quest.
"We are extremely grateful for Mrs Fabig's efforts, and hope Sydneysiders will either support her in the SunRun or maybe even consider participating in the event itself and also raise funds for Guide Dogs," Mr Green said.
"We receive no government funding, so every dollar helps us to continue providing mobility services and PAT dogs free of charge to people who need them."
To support Mrs Fabig and Guide Dogs in the SunRun, visit www.everydayhero.com.au/heike_fabig, contact Sue Pick at Guide Dogs on on 02 9412 9326..
ENDS
Media: Please contact Sally Edgar, on 0413 753 241 or media@guidedogs.com.au