03 Sep It will be a great day when ………
This week at Smart Pups ….
We wish to express our thanks to the students, teachers and parents of Saint Andrews Anglican College who once again put on their annual Pooches @ Peregian event to raise vital funds and awareness for Smart Pups.
Sincere thanks also go to the wonderful and willing team of Smart Pups volunteers and staff who gave up their morning to fly the flag for our organisation. You are all such amazing ambassadors for us.
Right on schedule the first day of spring put on a show of perfect spring weather, drawing in the crowds and their four legged companions to enjoy a morning of games such as musical dogs and best trick competition. I can imagine some of the dogs may have been distracted by the wafting aroma of the bacon and egg rolls. Some of the parents were no doubt equally drawn to the coffee van, where friends gathered to chat and take in the sunshine.
It is these moments that sum up the meaning of the word community. Saint Andrews uses this word in its vision statement, encouraging its students to ‘form spirited approaches to new ideas and an involvement in the community.’ Saint Andrews continued support of Smart Pups as a local charity demonstrates that this is not a hollow vision but one that is supported by the whole school community, who work together to provide the bacon rolls, run the raffles and cook for the bake sale.
At this point I am reminded of the quote by Robert Fulghum. Of course, we are not a school but we are a charity who like so many others strive to provide a vital service with no government support. 
Yes, it will be a great day when we have all the money we need. When families who struggle just to leave the house with their special needs child don’t have to raise their own funds. When that non-verbal little boy receives the amazing intervention, a Smart Pup can bring early enough to change his future. When that young girl is able to go on school camp for the first time, because her dog will detect her seizures.
It would be amazing. I hope one day our nation’s leaders stop playing power games long enough to make it happen. In the meantime, Smart Pups will remain reliant on private funding. Some from corporate sponsors, but much from people like you. The sayings, every dollar counts, every bit helps are so true. Individuals can help bring about change, whether by fostering, donating, volunteering or even just buying a cake from that bake sale – little actions go a long way.
On the 19th and 20th September, Smart Pups will again be hoping to raise funds with a stall at Sunshine Plaza. We would love to have a roster of fosters and dogs attending to help draw in the crowds and the dollars.
If you are new to fostering or if you have fostered for a long time why not come along and get to know others in the community you already belong to, the Smart Pups family, working hard to improve the lives of special needs children.
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