ABOUT PAWS FOR ASSISTANCE
PAWS FOR ASSISTANCE DOG TRAINING (PFA) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2016 BY EMELIA WILMOT. A PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE DOG TRAINER BASED IN MELBOURNE’S NORTHWEST
Em has experience working as a professional musician since 1989, a Registered Music Therapist since 2004, and now an Assistance Dog trainer since 2016. She grew up between the Otway Ranges and Melbourne with German Shepherds, West Highland terriers, Kelpies, goats, sheep, horses, cattle, rabbits and chooks. Em decided that working in the mental and physical health disability sector would be so much more enriching with the inclusion of dogs utilised as a living disability aid.
Em completed her certificate IV in Companion animal services in 2016 and is an approved assistance dog trainer under Queensland’s Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dog Act 2009 GHAD Act 2009 and the ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000 ACT 2000 Assistance Animals.
CREDENTIALS
Certificate IV Companion Animal Services.
Pet Professional Guild member
Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia member
Government certified Assistance Dog trainer (GHAD Act 2009), (ACT Domestic Animals Act 2000)
Registered Music Therapist. GradUATE DipLOMA OF MUSIC THERAPY, University of Melbourne, 2004
Working With Children Check (Vic)
Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT)
Australian Government Department of Health Certificates: COVID-19 Personal Safety, Aged Care & COVID-19 Infection Control Training
Regular ongoing professional development within the dog training industry via online courses, professional supervision, peer support.
Continuously learning from PFA’s own clientele. We Are always open to New ideas!
As well as being a certified dog trainer, Em is a Certified Music Therapist and has held many diverse music therapy positions including: adolescent and adult mental health, palliative care, autism/special education, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, Ward 17 Austin Health), Complex PTSD (CPTSD), women’s & children’s refuge, aged care, acquired brain injury and stroke rehabilitation.
Em’s main interest is training assistance dogs and their handlers to gain their Public Access Test (PAT) for adults living with various disabilities including physical, sensory, intellectual, medical and mental health. Em is particularly passionate about assistance animals and PTSD.
She lives with her partner and two beautiful Kelpies.
