60-minute one-on-one | Online or In-Person (Canberra)
Choosing the right dog is a big decision. Whether you are considering an assistance dog, exploring a therapy dog pathway, or wanting a companion pet that truly fits your life, this consultation is designed to help you make informed, realistic choices before you commit.
This session is not about rushing you into getting a dog.
It is about slowing the process down, cutting through the noise, and helping you decide if, when, and what kind of dog is right for you.
YoPaws provides assistance dog, therapy dog, and pet dog suitability consultations in Canberra and online, supporting people to make ethical, sustainable decisions from the very start.
This consultation is ideal if you are:
• Exploring whether an assistance dog may support your disability or daily needs
• Considering a therapy dog pathway and unsure what is involved
• Wanting a pet dog that genuinely fits your lifestyle and capacity
• Feeling overwhelmed by breed choices or conflicting advice
• Unsure whether to approach a breeder, rescue, or rehoming option
• Wanting honest discussion about time, cost, and long-term commitment
• Seeking force-free, ethical guidance grounded in lived experience
This session focuses on decision-making before acquiring a dog. It does not involve training or assessment of an existing dog.
This is a personalised, one-on-one session shaped around your situation and goals.
During the consultation, we will:
• Explore your lifestyle, daily capacity, and support needs
• Discuss whether an assistance dog, therapy dog, or companion pet is appropriate
• Talk honestly about timelines, costs, and long-term expectations
• Clarify what an assistance dog is and is not
• Discuss breed, size, and temperament considerations based on function and fit
• Explore sourcing options including ethical breeders, rescue, or rehoming
• Talk through what questions to ask breeders or organisations
• Identify realistic next steps that align with your life
The focus stays on suitability, sustainability, and informed choice.
This consultation looks at the full picture.
We begin with a lifestyle and suitability discussion, talking through disability needs, daily capacity, realistic timelines, and current supports or funding. This helps establish whether an assistance dog is appropriate now, later, or not at all.
We then unpack time, cost, and long-term commitment, so expectations are grounded in reality rather than assumptions.
Different dog roles are clarified, including assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and companion pets, with clear explanations around what each role involves and what is realistic.
Breed and temperament are discussed in context. Size considerations are explored where mobility support such as bracing or balance assistance may be needed, as well as options suitable for non-weight-bearing tasks such as seizure alerts and retrievals. The emphasis remains on temperament, function, and fit rather than breed trends.
Sourcing pathways are explored, including ethical breeders, rescue, and rehoming options. We discuss transparency, red flags, and how to approach conversations with breeders or organisations.
The session concludes with a personalised set of next steps and guidance on how to move forward at your own pace. There is no pressure to decide quickly. Clarity and confidence are the goal.
By the end of the session, you will have:
• A clearer understanding of whether a dog is right for you
• Confidence in the type of dog and role that best fits your life
• Realistic expectations around training, time, and commitment
• Guidance on sourcing and selection
• A practical, personalised roadmap for your next steps
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Format: Online or in-person (Canberra)
• Delivery: One-on-one, tailored to you
• Includes: Personalised guidance and written next-step summary
If you are at the beginning of your dog journey and want support grounded in lived experience, ethical practice, and real-world honesty, this consultation is the right place to start.
