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Rip-Rua Rescue & Rehabilitation Appeal

Aimee Heywood is organizing this fundraiser.
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Hey there!

For those of you who do not know me, I go by the name Aimee Heywood.

Most people know me for my work through EpicDog Training and Adventures, where I help dog owners to create more abundant, fulfilling, and enjoyable lives for them and their dogs.

A little about me:
I have spent close to 8 years in the dog training industry and during that time I've had a substantial impact on many dogs and their owners. I have made it my mission to immerse myself in various areas of dog training, including but not limited to:
• The rehabilitation of dogs with various behavioural issues (aggression, reactivity, anxiety, resource guarding)
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• The whelping and assisted raising of dogs for purpose (guide dogs, assistance dogs, military, and police dogs)
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• The training of dogs to complete complex behaviours
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• The training of dogs for companionship
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• The training of dogs for working applications/sports/competition
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• The training of rescue dogs for the purpose of rehoming
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• Conducting puppy and group obedience classes
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• Conducting socialisation walks/adventures and experience with the running of group socialisation classes
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• Private consultations and boarding/boarding and training solutions
Having spent time training dogs in Adelaide and interstate for other organisations, as well as undergoing mentorship and attending seminars to further my knowledge, I always striving to stay up to date with best training practices and techniques. I have also successfully completed my Cert III in Dog Training and Behaviour through the National Dog Trainers Federation.

I have a vested interest in helping dog owners create more inclusive and abundant lives for their dogs by utilising play and food to nurture dogs in a way that allows them to be their primal selves, boasting strong attitudes and work ethics, while still displaying the level of calmness and control needed to be a valued member of society.

Dog training is something I live and breathe and as such, have dedicated my life to being of service to dogs and their owners.

So why the Rip-Rua Rescue & Rehab Appeal?
Recently I was contacted regarding a young female Malinois in the ACT pound, due to be euthanised. Unfortunately, due to the severity of her behavioural issues, this dog was deemed unsuitable for rehome to the public and therefore only experienced trainers were allowed to request to take her on for training and potential rehoming. With just days left and the clock ticking before she we due to be euthanised, we volunteered to take her on for rehabilitation and rehoming.

Shortly after leaving Canberra and arriving via plane here in Adelaide, we named our new board, train and rehome dog Rip (who would later be rehomed and renamed Rua aka Rip-Rua). In just 4 weeks we were able to completely change the life of Rip. From the human/dog aggressive, out of control, disobedient, unfulfilled, confused, and misunderstood dog she arrived as to the loving, fulfilled, basic obedience trained dog that she left here as.

We were able to find her a beautiful home in Sydney, a home better than we could have dreamed of for her, and we regularly receive updates on her many adventures and antics. She shares her home with another dog and small livestock, all which previously would not have been possible for her to be around, without being aggressive or fixating on and chasing.

Rip should have been turned to ashes. Without having met her, I knew that rehabilitation and rehoming was possible and because of that, I was able to make the decision to take her on and provide the life she always deserved. This of course, did not come without its costs.

Taking on dogs like Rip for rehabilitation and rehoming comes at a cost financially. While we were able to recuperate some funding through her adoption fee and offering behind the scenes training videos to compensate for Rips transportation, food, and vet costs, it still was a financial loss I had to wear on my own.

The reality is, there are many dogs out there like Rip. Dogs in homes that are no longer suitable or in rescue organisations where rescues are struggling to rehome without some form of training first. While I am happy, willing, and wanting to help more dogs like Rip, the simple fact is, I cannot do it without the financial support of the community. As a community we can have a massive impact on the lives of dogs if we put our resources in the right place.

Since helping Rip, I have received multiple enquiries on a weekly basis, to assist with dogs in a similar situation. Both dog owners and rescue organisations have reached out for help and I continue to have to knock them back because of no financial aid.

The time has come now, to appeal to the community so that as a collective, we can help more dogs to avoid the green needle and/or to find homes that are more suitable.

I am looking to raise $6,500 so that when the opportunity to help another dog like Rip arises, I am able to do so without hesitation. The money raised would be used so the selected dog can undergo a minimum 4-week board and train and it would provide the food, any vet work and costs incurred for transport along the way, for the duration of the dogs stay which is likely to be longer than 4 weeks as it will take time to screen for suitable adoptive homes.

About EpicDog’s 4-week Board and Train Program
EpicDog’s Board and Train program has been carefully composed from my 8 years’ experience in the dog training industry, to deliver what I believe to be the most important skills for all dogs to learn, to be able to enjoy a more inclusive and abundant life with their owners.

During the dog’s training program, their daily food and play sessions will include the following:
Developing/strengthening obedience (loose lead walking, sit, down & recall)
Developing/strengthening play (fetch/tug)
Addressing any behavioural issues (aggression, reactivity, resource guarding, anxious behaviour etc)

Through my experience, I believe a dog who can walk nicely, perform a down at any given moment, come back when called and genuinely enjoys being with their owner because of the value and genetic fulfilment that is provided to them, is a dog that can be enjoyed anywhere you go AKA a truly EpicDog!

The EpicDog Board and Training program is an intensive program and we have had many successful dogs who have completed our program, go on to be very well-trained dogs or in the case of rescue dogs, they’ve been rehabilitated, and then suitable homes have been found.

Of course, the training does not end there, and ongoing training is required for all dogs maintain a high level of training. To ensure new owners and their dog stay on track, we offer ongoing training support for the life of the dog.

If you are not familiar with EpicDog’s training or want to see some videos outlining our work and the results we’ve had with many dogs, these links will be able to show exactly that:




https://www.facebook.com/reel/603260738389152 Rip (Rua) Dog Aggression Rehabilitation

https://www.facebook.com/reel/792093062626812 Rip (Rua) Human Aggression Rehabilitation

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1572522286556130 Rip (Rua) Car Aggression Rehabilitation








https://www.facebook.com/reel/5640003079456102 Lucy (Rescue & Train) Play Development


https://www.facebook.com/reel/675360730951395 Cora Control Around Other Dogs


https://www.facebook.com/reel/3484901335157188 Lucy (Rescue & Train) Before and After



https://www.facebook.com/reel/504283645133265 Millie & Cora Loose Lead Walking


https://www.facebook.com/reel/1346583512825392 Millie Tricks (Backwards Handstand)

https://www.facebook.com/reel/639058800939655 Kali (Rescue & Train) Car Aggression Before and After


https://www.facebook.com/reel/1827192054288850 Kali (Rescue & Train) Play Development

https://www.facebook.com/reel/470414754978782 Kali (Rescue & Train) Car Aggression Progression

https://www.facebook.com/reel/590810356056992 (Kali (rescue & Train) Car Aggression Progression

EpicDog currently resides out of a beautiful 25 acre property in Mt Crawford forest so the dog(s) who come under our care will be able to enjoy every acre of the property, including private walking trails and swimming in the dam in-between their training program. All dogs are treated like our own and get to enjoy the EpicDog life with us, until they find their forever home.

If you have made it to the bottom of this appeal, then I thank you for getting this far. I would love for you to consider donating, towards creating a better future for the dogs in our community who find themselves without a home or in need of a new one. I am eager to help more dogs, but I cannot do it without the community’s help. Please share this appeal far and wide. As soon as the financial goal is reached, I will begin the search for the next dog for our Rip-Rua Rescue & Rehab Program.

Thank you,
Aimee Heywood.
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Donations 

  • Diane Shipway
    • $100
    • 9 mos
  • Donna Clayton-Wood
    • $50
    • 9 mos
  • Fiona Duncan
    • $20
    • 9 mos
  • Kathryn Hope
    • $20
    • 9 mos
  • Vandana Bettens
    • $50
    • 9 mos
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Organizer

Aimee Heywood
Organizer
Barossa Goldfields, SA
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