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About Us
SpecialDogs®
SpecialCatsTM
PetFosteringTM
This PetFostering project grew from the commitment of the founder, Katy Joscelyne, to help care for some of the many abandoned and homeless dogs and cats in our community.
After a long career as an educator, and later as the coordinator of a day centre for frail aged people, she trained as a vet nurse, managing a veterinary hospital in Sydney and volunteering countless hours in a dog shelter.
Katy designed the proof of concept, and then implemented the volunteer program at Blacktown Animal Holding Facility which is the biggest animal pound in New South Wales.
Katy saw a need for short-term fostering of pound animals to save them from euthanasia. During the fostering period, permanent adoptive homes are found.
The PetFostering team includes veterinary surgeons, vet nurses, animal shelter volunteers, foster carers, a canine behavioral advisor, a certified canine nutritionist, team mentors and management professionals.
Our team works together to provide needy dogs and cats with temporary foster care, health assessment, veterinary treatment, behaviour observation and eventual permanent adoption.
We are strictly NOT FOR PROFIT; we share a dream, and we donate our time, expertise, money and resources to make our dream a reality.
SpecialDogs® is a Registered Trade Mark. Unauthorised use of this Registered Trade Mark is prohibited. SpecialCats is a Trademark. PetFostering is a Trademark.
Our Advisory Panel
Katy Joscelyne - BA (Psych), DipEd, DipTeach, Veterinary Nurse Grade IV, Cert. Canine Nutrition
After a long career in school teaching, and managing a day activity centre for senior citizens, Katy fulfilled a lifelong dream by making a career change to veterinary nursing, completing her training at Richmond College of TAFE. Upon graduation she worked as Practice Manager at a busy Veterinary Hospital where she saw the potential for matching appropriate dogs with people who could benefit from having a canine companion. Katy is a qualified Grief Counselor (Advanced Level) and she is an experienced project manager. She is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, an award she received in recognition of her volunteer work with hospitalized children, and her ongoing commitment to canine welfare. Katy is the founder of Special Dogs for Special People.
Dr Tamara Carlin - B.VSc, MRCVS, CVA
Tamara is a holistic veterinarian who has practised for 15 years in Australia and the UK. She is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and has completed the 3-year veterinary homeopathy course. Tamara has a philosophy of using integrated veterinary therapies including using western and eastern methods to help all patients. She has appeared on Australian TV shows such as “Animal Hospital” and “Sunrise” demonstrating live veterinary acupuncture treatments. At home Tamara has two cats and two dogs who live in luxury!
Velma Harris -
Founder and Manager of Velma's Pets as Therapy
During a long period of illness Velma formed a wonderful bond with Honey, her miniature poodle. This little dog was her constant, loyal and loving companion, preventing loneliness and keeping her spirits up. Upon her recovery Velma chose a career working exclusively with animals and promoting the animal/human bond. With her background as a human psychotherapist and knowing exactly what it feels like to be frail, ill, immobile, in pain, misunderstood and unable to communicate clearly, Velma knew that she could produce a professional and truly beneficial pet therapy program, so Velma's Pets As Therapy was founded. This program brings comfort and joy to about 15,000 people per year.
Lara Joscelyne - BA (Psych)
Lara studied psychology while she worked as a volunteer crisis counselor with Lifeline and then she entered the corporate world working in business consulting & HR. While Lara has chosen to pursue a career with people, she has always been passionate about animals, especially dogs. She has indulged her passion for dogs in her spare time by volunteering with Wilson, one of her English cocker spaniels, in the Pets as Therapy program. This experience alerted Lara to the benefits that the right pet can bring to people with special needs.
Tracey Pasfield - Dog Behavioural Training Certificate IV
Tracey worked at Guide Dogs New South Wales prior to relocating to Queensland where she now works at Guide Dogs Queensland where she is involved with newborn puppies from birth to seven weeks of age. Also, she is an RSPCA volunteer. Tracey is an accredited Delta Society Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Instructor, and she is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Having run Puppy Classes and Adult Dog Training Classes in the past, she currently concentrates on home training and canine behavioural consultations for dog owners.
Jan Redfern – Dog Rescue Advisor
Jan’s main interest is in restoring the emotional stability and wellbeing of dogs that have been neglected, abused and/or abandoned. For over six years she has been actively involved in volunteering at a dog rescue shelter, and she has gained extensive skills in assessing the temperament and suitability of dogs for adoption. Jan has a deep commitment to the wellbeing of senior citizens, recognizing the combined benefits of physical exercise, companionship and emotional wellbeing to both dog and owner when the right partnership is formed. Jan has personally cared for 16 foster dogs prior to their long-term placement with new owners.
Dr Malcolm Smeal - M.VSc, PhD
Malcolm has pursued a lifelong career in the pathology that underlies the diagnosis of animal disease. During his more than 20 years in diagnostic laboratories, he diagnosed several new and unknown diseases, and has had a wealth of articles published in veterinary journals throughout the world. Malcolm is an active member of the Animal Care and Ethics committee for medical science research in New South Wales and has a keen interest in the welfare of native animals and fish. Having lived with dogs all his life, he and his wife adopted a badly neglected Maltese and gave him a new lease of life.
Alana "AJ" Jamieson - Animal Service Officer
AJ commenced her pet care career working in a pet shop at 18 years of age. She qualified as a vet nurse and animal attendant and worked with the RSPCA for three and a half years. Then, as an animal service officer with a local council, she worked for two years, impounding and rehoming dogs and cats, as per the requirements of the Companion Animals Act and the Impounding Act. She has completed the "Dog Whisper" course with John Richardson, and the Dog Breed Identification course with Dogs NSW. AJ owns a Cavalier and three cats.
Dr Donna Schofield - B.VSc, Cert.VR
Donna graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon from Sydney University in 1984. She worked with the RSPCA for several years before expanding her knowledge working overseas in the UK, Europe, Hong Kong and New Zealand. On returning to Australia she established her own Veterinary Practice and commenced teaching veterinary courses at Ulitimo College of TAFE. Donna has a special interest in canine behaviour. She owns two dogs and two cats, all of which she rescued.
SpecialDogs®
SpecialCatsTM
PetFosteringTM
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