K9 ASSIST NZ
Skilled Companion Dog Training with Purpose and Heart
At K9 Assist NZ, we specialise in training skilled companion dogs and therapy dogs that support everyday life — offering calm, capable assistance for people navigating physical, neurological, or emotional challenges. These are not medical alert or life-preserving service dogs, but trained companions who make daily living smoother, safer, and more connected.
Whether you’re looking for help retrieving dropped items, walking more steadily, interrupting moments of anxiety, or navigating the world with greater confidence, we can guide you in building those skills with your dog, step by step.
Why K9 Assist?
Founded by professional trainer Liz, K9 Assist NZ grew from both lived experience and professional expertise. Living with an invisible autoimmune condition, Liz understands first-hand the difference a well-trained dog can make — not just in functionality, but in confidence, independence, and dignity.
Through over 2 decades of positive reinforcement-based training, Liz has developed a compassionate, structured approach that prepares dogs for the kind of real-world tasks that improve everyday quality of life.
We Offer:
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Puppy Foundations: Raising calm, confident dogs with future support roles in mind
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Adolescent Development: Focus, impulse control & real-world practice
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Task Training Modules: Customised skills like item retrieval, momentum pull, bracing, interruption cues & more
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Therapy Dog Prep: For calm, emotionally responsive dogs working in clinics or community settings
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Handler Mentorship: For individuals or families building their own support dog with guidance
We work alongside individuals, families, and allied professionals to ensure each dog is a great match for the tasks asked of them — and each person feels empowered, respected, and supported throughout the process.
Every task begins with trust. Every skill starts with connection. At K9 Assist NZ, we train both.
Our Programs
Puppy Foundations
Raising calm, confidant dogs with future support roles in mind.
Task Training Modueles
Customised skills like item retriveal, momentum pull, bracing, interruption cues + more.
Adolescent Devlopment
Focus, impulse control and real world practice.
Handler Mentorship
For individuals, families building their own support dog with guidance
Important Notice – Skilled Companion Dog Training
At K9 Assist NZ, we provide Skilled Companion Dog training programs designed to support individuals and families in training dogs for in-home support, emotional regulation, and task-based assistance within private settings.
Please note:
We are not a registered service dog organisation, and our programs do not provide public access certification under New Zealand law.
For individuals seeking fully accredited service, assistance dogs with public access rights, we recommend contacting recognised organisations such as Assistance Dogs NZ Trust or Mobility Dogs.
Our training focuses on:
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Owner-guided development of support dogs
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Realistic, achievable outcomes for everyday environments
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Long-term wellbeing and confidence for both handler and dog
Training a skilled companion dog takes time, consistency, and a deep commitment. We're here to guide you on that rewarding journey with care, compassion, and professional expertise.
Contact us
Contact us today to learn more about K9 Assist and the various programs offered. Our team is here to provide you with all the information you need to get started."