Border Trust $15,000 grant goes to Junction Support Services for therapy dog

The Wodonga-based charity, that helps those experiencing homelessness, poverty, family violence, and mental ill-health, was voted the winner of the trust's inaugural Give500 campaign.

The campaign harnesses the power of collective giving to fund projects directly benefiting the Albury-Wodonga and wider communities.

In its submission, Junction said it had been searching for creative and evidence-based methods to support clients to recover from trauma and build resilience.

It argued a therapy dog could improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes while fostering a sense of connection for vulnerable and disconnected children, youth and adults.

"A therapy dog will provide support ... in our residential houses, youth refuge and others accessing counselling services," it stated.

The first stage will involve the purchase and training of a puppy guided by dog trainer Brydie Charlesworth while the second stage will involve training of staff and clients.

The final part of the project will see the dog supporting and responding to people on the job - "building relationships and providing psychological and physiological support to the young people based on their individual needs".

Meanwhile the other two short-listed projects - Survivors of Suicide & Friends - Solstice the Documentary; and Aspect Riverina School's Building Resilience on the Spectrum - will receive $6500 each to continue their efforts in the community.

This is a result of Give500 donors voting to increase the grant of $2500 originally allocated to each runner-up.