AustLit

'Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog is the fourth book about working dogs, written by Gina Dawson to educate children about the roles of Assistance and Therapy Dogs in modern society and the invaluable work they do.

'Veteran Joe and his family have moved in next door to Lucas. Dad and Joe are good mates who served in the military together. They both look well and healthy, but Joe is troubled by memories that make him anxious, angry or sad. That’s why he has Poppy, an Assistance Dog, who goes with him everywhere.

'When Lucas sees Joe getting off the bus with Poppy by his side, he wants to know more. He listens to Dad but doesn’t really understand how Poppy helps Joe – until he sees it for himself.

'At a café Lucas looks on while Poppy keeps watch, stays close to Joe, and allows him to relax and enjoy the celebration without worrying about what is happening behind him. That’s when Lucas begins to understand the wonderful work that Poppy does to help Joe to live a full life. He also learns that the way people look does not always tell the whole story.

'Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog is a sensitively written, unique children’s book with many messages, including educating children about PTSD and anxiety, invisible disability, the work of veterans and first responders, correct behaviour around Assistance Dogs, and most of all, about the unique bond between a man and his dog, and how they look out for each other.

'Written in a way that shows compassion and respect, this book is educational and relevant in a time where PTSD, anxiety and mental health issues are becoming more prevalent, particularly in Veterans and First responders.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'Leah lives next door to Nan. Every week Nan and her dog Monty visit sick people in hospital. Today Leah is going too. At the hospital Leah looks on while Monty makes people laugh, remember, learn, feel comforted and make plans to get well. She sees that Monty is very special, he is a Therapy Dog.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Grace wants to be able to do everything other children do and now that she has Roxie she can. If Grace needs help, Roxie knows exactly what to do.

'With insightful illustrations and written in a sensitive and friendly style, Next Door’s Dog Goes to School is about understanding the important role of dogs in our society, and how they potentially change people’s lives.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Next Door’s Dog Has A Job Picture book provides age appropriate information for young children, including:

• Disabilities can be diverse and invisible
• Assistance Dogs come in many shapes and sizes
• Assistance Dogs help people in a variety of ways, and
• There is an appropriate code of behavior around a working Assistance Dog. Assistance Dogs are highly trained dogs that assist their human companions in a number of ways.

'These include, but are not limited to, providing assistance to those with vision, hearing and mobility impairments, epilepsy, autism and mental health conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety. The times when only Labradors and Retrievers were trained for this role have long passed, and many breeds are now used. Most of us are aware of teaching children to be “dog smart” and not approach unknown dogs in any situation. However the novelty of seeing a dog in a supermarket, restaurant or other public place where that may not be the norm can be a fascinating attraction to a young child. 

'Children should be aware of the physical or emotional difficulty that may be imposed on the dog’s handler when the dog is distracted. Discuss with the child the importance of the work these dogs perform as a team with their human companions. Emphasise that the relationship between dog and handler is a two way one, and that the dog is not just doing a job but is a highly valued, much loved and well cared for family member. This lovely illustrated book gives the reader a journey of the dog next door and his job.'  (Publication summary)