Benalla Trust arrange companion dog for local family

The trust then swung into action and the family in question is now awaiting the arrival of a new Labrador puppy.

However, the trust is not simply supplying a new dog; it is paying for it to be trained, and has arranged two years’ worth of food and veterinary services as well.

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Benalla Trust board member Julie Bell said the trust had helped the same family to get a companion dog back in 2014.

“Sadly that dog passed away, which was rough for the whole family,” Ms Bell said.

“So they approached us, and wrote quite a lengthy document saying they would appreciate any support whatsoever.

“A couple of the board members got together and decided that we were definitely on board.

“So we are going to buy the dog. We are paying for its training. Basically, we will support it for two years.

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“That includes food, we have help from a local butcher and some local retailers.

“And we have great support offered from a local vet.

“We will invest in the dog for the family.

“The effect having a dog has had on the family . . . was miraculous.

“The dog they are getting is specifically a companion dog, a Labrador, that is being bred out at Tatong.”

Board member Paul Hanson said what had been arranged for the family was a real community package, which highlighted how the trust was able to assist families in need.

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“Whatever is thrown at the trust we endeavour to support financially, emotionally, physically, whatever we can put together that will help,” Mr Hanson said.

“And we have a great, and growing, network of supporters out there always willing to put their hands up.

“In this case from the local butcher and retailers helping with food to the vet offering its service, it is a community response.”

The Benalla Trust Foundation has been operating since 2000 and has grown from an effort to assist just one family.

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Trust secretary Tricia Vale said its motto was: "We assist and provide help for families in crisis.”

“We started with the intention of helping one particular child that had major liver problems, and their family, and from there we’ve helped many, many families,” Ms Vale said.

“We’ve done that over the years by fundraisers and we’ve got to the stage where we don’t do as much fundraising as we once did but people donate to the trust.

“We run quite well because we have a board of directors and we can meet quickly.

“This is why we have been able to help people quickly.

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“We can meet with the board members, have an interview.

“We can run through the situation, then we look at where we can get the assistance from and who else can help that particular person, or family.

“People will come to us because there is no-one else that can help them.

“The situation can be children not being able to afford medication.

“A family might need assistance with train tickets to Melbourne, they may need some fuel money or accommodation, to get to a medical appointment.

“Sometimes a family will have both parents who have had to go to Melbourne, so we’ll assist with home loan repayments and things like that.

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“We’ve also assisted families with funds to help pay for funerals.”

Ms Vale said the trust was generally contacted directly by people who needed help or from people nominating a family that might need help.

● If you need assistance, or know someone who needs help you can phone Benalla Trust Foundation on 5762 2545. If you would like to donate to the trust you can get in touch on the same number.

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