Smart Pups Assistance Dogs

14/10/2026

Foster a Smart Pup – Change a Life!

We’re looking for loving homes across the Sunshine Coast to become Smart Pups foster carers on weekends and holidays! Who wouldn't want a pup for a weekend?!

These adorable pups are in training to become life-changing assistance dogs for children with special needs, and YOU could be part of their journey and help make a real difference.

What’s in it for you?
✅ All food, supplies & vet care covered
✅ Ongoing support from the Smart Pups team
✅ Endless puppy love + the reward of doing something truly amazing

What we’re looking for:
A safe & loving home
Patience, time & a big heart
Weekend or holiday carers!

Interested? Email Melissa at [email protected]
🔗 Or apply now 👉smartpups.org.au/foster

Help a pup grow. Help a child thrive.

13/10/2026

Smart Pup Ripley continues to impress with his growing confidence and adaptability. Recently working with multiple trainers, Ripley remained calm, focused and eager to learn, demonstrating his ability to thrive in new situations.

He has also been building his public access skills, confidently navigating busy environments, including a visit to the Ginger Factory during the school holidays.

With his positive attitude, love of learning and strong connection with his handlers, Ripley is showing all the qualities of a promising future Autism Assistance Dog.

A huge thank you to Club Parkview for supporting Ripley's journey and helping him take important steps toward changing a child's life.

12/10/2026

A new chapter begins for Smart Pup Tank.

On September, Tank met his new family and began placement week, taking the next big step in his journey to becoming an Assistance Dog.

From his first flight to settling into his new home, Tank handled every new experience beautifully. He quickly adapted to family life, showed wonderful public access skills and began building a special bond with his primary handler.

Throughout the week, the family worked alongside Tank to learn his daily routines, handling, public access skills and assistance tasks. By the end of placement week, everyone had grown in confidence, and Tank had settled wonderfully into his new role.

A huge thank you to CSI - Club Services Ipswich for supporting Tank throughout his Smart Pups journey and helping make this life-changing placement possible.

A special thank you to Petstock for warmly welcoming Tank and his family during their visit, and to Big Dog Pet Foods for helping keep Tank happy, healthy and fuelled for his training journey. We’re so grateful for your continued support in helping our Smart Pups prepare for their life-changing roles.

10/10/2026

We are so grateful for local businesses that choose to give back and help support Smart Pups! Thank you for this wonderful initiative, Craig and Sonia! Arkell and Co.

This year we started our Selling to Support initiative in celebration of being the top agents in 4575 for the last 10 years.

We knew how amazing this would be for our local charities and community but we didn’t expect to hear so many amazing stories about how these donations are helping everyday people in our community.

Here are three of them.

Smart Pups, who’ve placed more than 350 assistance dogs with Australian families since 2011, entirely funded by donations like this one.

The MND and Me Foundation, chosen by our seller Shannon for the support they gave his family after losing his mum to Motor Neurone Disease.

Jack’s Place Foundation, building Australia’s first dedicated su***de prevention and mental health facility right here on the Sunshine Coast.

When you sell and settle with Arkell & Co by 18 December 2026, we donate $1,500 from your sale to a local charity or community group of your choice, at no additional cost to you.

Want your sale to make a difference? Comment or message us SELLING TO SUPPORT to find out more.

09/10/2026

✨ A proud day for the Smart Pups team! ✨

Today, Sharni, Deb and Harls had the opportunity to represent Smart Pups at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards interview.

It was a chance to share our story, reflect on how far we've come, and talk about the incredible impact assistance dogs have on the lives of children and families across Australia.

Behind every Smart Pup is a team of passionate people, dedicated volunteers, fosters, supporters and families who believe in creating independence, confidence and brighter futures. It was an honour to showcase the work that happens every day because of this amazing community.

No matter the outcome, we're incredibly proud to have represented Smart Pups and to stand alongside so many inspiring businesses and organisations making a difference on the Sunshine Coast.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. 🐾

Sunshine Coast Business Awards

09/10/2026

Smart Pup Danni continues to make excellent progress in her training, demonstrating a calm temperament, adaptability and a strong willingness to learn.

Recently, Danni achieved another important milestone with a visit to the airport, confidently navigating busy terminals, security checkpoints and unfamiliar environments while remaining focused and composed.

Danni has also commenced a five-week placement at P***n Creek Correctional Centre, where she is further developing her obedience, task work and environmental exposure across a range of unique settings.

A sincere thank you to City Golf Club Toowoomba for supporting Smart Pup Danni's journey and helping her take important steps towards her future assistance dog role.

***nCreekCorrectionalCentre

08/10/2026

Ever thought about fostering a puppy for the weekend?

Our Smart Pups are looking for loving temporary homes during weekends and school holidays as they continue their journey to becoming life-changing assistance dogs.

Fostering helps our pups learn important household routines, build social confidence, and experience new environments, all while receiving plenty of love and care along the way.

We provide all food, supplies, and support, making it an easy and rewarding way to give back to an incredible cause.

Because every future assistance dog starts with a community that believes in them.

What we’re looking for:
A safe & loving home
Patience, time & a big heart
Weekend or holiday carers!

Interested? Email Melissa at [email protected]
🔗 Or apply now 👉smartpups.org.au/foster
Help a pup grow. Help a child thrive.

07/10/2026

A little protection for your pup can make a big difference for ours.

Thanks to our partnership with Fetch Pet Insurance, the Smart Pups community can receive one month free pet insurance*.

Plus, for every eligible new policy purchased through our link, Fetch will donate $50 to Smart Pups to help support our life-changing assistance dog program.

Get started here: https://www.fetchpet.com.au/?partner=smartpups

It's a win for your pup, a win for Smart Pups, and a win for the children and families we support.

*Conditions apply.

07/10/2026

Smart Pup Winnie embarking on her next big adventure…. Beginning the next chapter as a seizure response Smart Pups Assistance Dog.

In preparation, Winnie refreshed her public access skills through visits to Noosa River, Noosa Marina, Noosa Civic and Sunshine Coast Airport, building confidence and focus in a variety of environments.

A heartfelt thank you to Aspley Leagues Club and Zillmere Sports Club for supporting Winnie throughout her journey and helping make this life-changing partnership possible.