Meet Rowan

Meet Rowan

2025 NZ Top Dog with a Job finalist

2025 NZ Top Dog with a Job finalist

Meet Rowan

Breed: Border Collie

Barking from: Wellington

Job Title: Medical assistance dog

What's up dog?

My dog Rowan was originally my pet. I had been looking for an organisation that could help me have him authorised as a Medical Assistance Dog. I suffer from major Panic & Anxiety Disorder & other Disorders that prevent me from leaving my house without my dog. Due to the Government laws ®gulations, it is not possible to allow pet dogs into many buildings & shops, hence I have struggled for many years to enter environments that most people take for granted. If there was an urgent need to go somewhere I often had panic attacks, hence I had to shop on line for everything.

On the few times I did venture into a shop I oftened had breakdowns. I was once served from the staff toilets of a Pet Shop & I had Security Guards monitor me at a mobile phone store. Even going to medical appointments or dog training caused so much stress that I would have panic attacks or be on the verge of a breakdown or vomiting. I was very lucky to find an amazing organisation called K9 Medical Search Detection. The trainer Pete Gifford & I met & we had a formal interview, which went well. We met another few times & started training in buildings. I asked my local Bunnings if I could use their building as a training ground & they were very keen to help. Rowan earnt his coat within a few months & has since become a fully certified Medical Assistance Dog. I was so excited as this means that I can now begin to start to live a life again. Rowan has been made welcome where ever we go. I am just taking life slowly as I am still working on my courage but I know now that I will have my best friend with me & already I am well ahead of where I thought I could be this early into our journey. People love seeing Rowan. You see the joy in their eyes. Many people ask me about his job / role. Many are surprised that I own him & believe I must be training him for someone else. People always comment on his excellent behavior & how lovely he looks. He makes me the proudest owner. Often my outings take longer as people want to stop & talk to me. I am more than happy to tell them about his role & the organisation K9 Search Medical Detection. It is a privilege to be associated to their Trust. I am truly blessed. The photo I am presenting is the day we got his training coat, one of the happiest days of my life.

2025 NZ Top Dog with a Job Award

Judging and criteria

Purpose

This award recognises a working dog that goes above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Whether supporting people or fellow animals, this dog’s daily efforts help improve wellbeing, provide support, or create meaningful change in their community.


Reach

Does your dog make a difference in the life of one individual, or do they support an entire group, workplace, or community? Tell us who they help and how far their support reaches.


Impact

What kind of impact does your dog have in their role? Share how they’ve enhanced wellbeing, supported mental health, or improved the lives of those around them