Stapell Working Dog

23/02/2026

New study on the link between heart disease and grain-free diets.

From a client who recently participated in a dog forum:
“Today I was on a couple dog forums, and people were writing about the link between grain-free dog diets and heart damage. Apparently, lentils, legumes, peas, beans, and potato may cause dilated cardio-myopathy in some dogs. No one is sure of the reason, but it could have to do with these vegetables blocking taurine in dogs.”

“Here is a research paper:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12656978/.”

“I don’t know if taurine supplements can solve the problem, and obviously, not all dogs get this, but it seemed important since dilated cardio myopathy can go for a long time before symptoms start.
Anyway, I thought you might be interested. Labs are not necessarily prone to DCM, but it is occurring in some labradors that have grain-free diets. It seems like it may still be early days for these studies, but there are plenty of anecdotal stories online in forums, so I thought I’d pass that along in case it is of interest.”

In recent years, an increasing number of dogs have developed dilated cardiomyopathy while eating certain grain-free diets rich in legumes like peas and lentils. The aim of this article is to review and discuss recent scientific research to ...

23/02/2026

Queensland Disability e-news
SPECIAL UPDATE 23 FEBRUARY 2026
Applications are now open for disability-led research funding.
The National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) is an initiative designed to fund research led by and with people with disability.
NDRP is making available $5 million of research funding, offering up to $300,000 per research project.
Research projects must be focused on:
safety of people with disability, including pathways to eliminate restrictive practices for people with disability, or accessible and inclusive practices.
The funding supports collaborative, disability-led research demonstrating leadership by and with people with disability.
If you would like to ask questions or find out more, NDRP are offering information sessions where you will learn more about building capability in co-design, power-aware practice, governance models, and inclusive research methods.

Applications for funding close at 5:00pm (AEST) on Monday 20 April 2026.
For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit NDRP 2026 Disability Research Funding.

14/02/2026

NDIS Changes 2026

The NDIA has announced new framework plans to be rolled out from mid-2026 through a phased approach. These plans will focus more on a person’s support needs, rather than functional impairment alone.

What we know so far:

1. The NDIA will use the I-CAN v6 assessment tool.
2. Participants will complete a new questionnaire about their circumstances.
3. Fewer expensive reports will be required (except for complex needs).
4. Trained assessors will meet with participants and prepare reports.
5. Plans will still be approved by NDIA staff.
6. Participants can request reassessments, variations, and reviews, including through the Administrative Review Tribunal.
7. The Government is currently seeking feedback from participants and the disability community. Public consultation is open until 11.30pm AEST on 6 March 2026.
8. Now is the time to have your say.

The site lists consultations that are run by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. On this site you can find, share or take part in consultations.

19/01/2026

Down Under Doggo Mix-Up: Labs, Goldens, and the Great Aussie Confusion

G’day, mates! Ever told an Aussie you’re getting a “Lab Retriever,” only to have them squint and ask, “You mean a Labradoodle? Or is that a Lab cross Retriever?” No, Sheila, it’s not a hybrid from a mad scientist’s kennel—it’s just a Lab! But in Australia, this breed name sparks more confusion than a 🦘in snow.

Recently, Stapell took a pup to the Vet. When they asked, “what breed,” Mary said “Labrador Retriever.” Easy, right? This resulted in a bizzare paperwork array that stated “Labrador x Retriever.” Is this incorrect?

Let’s untangle this furry fiasco that furiously frustrates friends of the fleabags. 🤔

First off, the culprits: The Labrador Retriever (aka Lab) and the Golden Retriever (aka Golden). Both are gun dogs bred for…you guessed it…retrieving! Although they both retrieve shot game, they’re as distinct as “a pie” (meat pie) and “pie” (apple pie). You can eat both, but they’re distinct.

“Retriever” vs “Labrador” in everyday Australian speech: In Australia (especially historically):
- “Labrador” = the well-known breed name
- “Retriever” = a job description, colloquially a breed.
So, when someone hears “Lab Retriever,” it can sound like:
- a retriever (Golden Retriever) that is part Labrador Retriever, rather than: the full breed name “Labrador Retriever.”

In contrast, Americans and UK breeders are used to the full formal name and rarely drop or reinterpret it.

Labs arrived in Australia in 1929, when Mr. & Mrs. R.A. Austin of Victoria brought in a male and two females from England, starting a breeding program here. This is generally regarded as the first major import of Labradors into Australia.

Goldens arrived later (1937) and blurred the term “retriever.”
- Labradors became popular in Australia earlier and were often just called “Labs”
- Golden Retrievers arrived later and were usually called “Goldens” but later called “Retrievers.”

So in casual conversation:
- “Lab” = Labrador
- “Retriever” = Golden (or “the fluffy retriever”)

That makes “Lab Retriever” sound like:
Lab × Retriever (Golden), especially to people outside of the professional dog world.

Kennel-club language vs pet-owner language:
ANKC uses:
- Labrador Retriever (Labs)
- Golden Retriever (Goldens)
But everyday pet culture uses:
- Shortened names
- Mixes formal and informal labels
- Treats coat type, category or color as breed identifiers.
That gap between official terminology and pub-terminology is where the mix-up lives.

Designer crosses reinforced the confusion. Once people started hearing about:
- Goldadors
- Labradoodles
- “Half Lab, half retriever” (especially from guide dog schools)…it retroactively made “Lab Retriever” sound like a cross, even though the name existed long before designer dogs.

Another reason is that “Retriever” sounds like a breed, not a category. This is the key linguistic issue.

There are six retriever breeds within the Retriever category:
• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Flat-Coated Retriever
• Curly-Coated Retriever
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

So “retriever” sounds like:
- a group you can cross with something
Rather than:
- a fixed breed name component

Labs hail from Newfoundland, with short, dense coats in black, yellow, or chocolate. Goldens, from Scotland, have long, wavy golden coats and a feathery tail that could double as a duster.

So why the mix-up Down Under? Blame the lingo! Aussies often shorten “Labrador Retriever” to “Lab,” Aussies call the Goldens “retrievers,” and guide dog schools often breed “crosses” of these two breeds. So, to many ears, say “Labrador Retriever,” and poof—visions of a “Lab-Golden cross” emerge.

It’s not uniquely Australian — just more common here.
You’ll hear this misunderstanding:
- In Australia
- In rural UK
- Among non-dog people anywhere

It just stands out more in Australia because:
- “Lab” is the dominant retriever breed
- Goldens are strongly associated with the word “retriever”
- Informal speech is the norm

No, a “Lab Retriever” isn’t a mythical crossbred beast. It’s the full ANKC official name for the only recognized Labrador Retriever breed in the world. Crosses do exist—like the Goldador (Golden x Lab), Labradoodle (Lab x Poodle), Shepador (German Shepherd x Lab) and Goldendoodle (Golden x Poodle) - but they’re mutts, madeup names, not purebreds or recognized breeds. Same for the Lab x Golden crosses. Made up, officially unofficial.

26/11/2025

It’s been a full on week with new guide puppy “Scout” joining the fray and new horse “Nova” entering training. Some photos of the week so far below. Videos to come.

24/11/2025

American site but good basic description.

🦮 Most people don't understand the difference between service animals, support animals, and therapy animals. This is bad because...

🚨 Confusion can lead to legal issues, harm to animals, and risks to public safety.🐾

Dogs play powerful roles in our lives—offering comfort, support, and even life-saving assistance. But not all working dogs are the same, and mislabeling them can have serious consequences.

Here's a quick breakdown:

🐕‍🦺 Service Dogs: Trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities. Protected under the ADA. Full public access rights.

🐶 Therapy Animals: Provide comfort in places like hospitals and schools. No public access rights. Must be invited.

🐕 Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): Offer companionship for mental health. No training required. Protected only under housing laws.

🏥 Facility Dogs: Work with professionals in settings like courts or clinics. Trained like service dogs but don’t have the same legal access.

Misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is illegal in 34 states and can lead to fines or jail time. It also undermines the rights of people who truly rely on service dogs.

Let’s protect the integrity of these roles—for the people who need them and the animals who serve them.

28/05/2025

Good morning valued clients,

We would like to run an idea past all of you, and get your thoughts and feedback.

Every month, I send out an email with the upcoming events. How would you feel if, instead of just a list of events, this was part of a monthly newsletter? Featuring:
Upcoming events.
News about what's going on at Stapell.
Product updates (such as harnesses, antlers, etc.) on what you can order from us.
Potentially, interviews with our clients, talking about how they are benefitting from O&M, or guide dog usage.
Updates to accessibility throughout Brisbane - such as how the work is going on train and metro services, accessibility upgrades to transport, parklands - anything that is being made accessible, around our great city.

If this is something you would be interested in, please let me know. And if you have any ideas or feedback, I would be happy to hear that as well.

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

30/04/2025

Happy International Guide Dog Day!

*photo of Stapell’s “Lani” on placement with her new handler, trying out dog beds in the pet store. She has plopped down in a big cozy one with 4 sides of grey fleece.

27/02/2025

Stapell’s “Pacho” celebrates his 7th birthday Saturday.

“Pacho” was our first guide dog placed and we wish him the yappiest birthday ever!

*below are 2 photos, on left is “Pacho” as a puppy. Photo on right is “Pacho” with his handler waiting for the train.

16/02/2025

Thank you to Vision Australia for organising this. Hopefully, we soon reach a place of calm cohesion.

Uber is beefing up its support for vision-impaired Australians by introducing harsher measures for drivers who refuse passengers with assistance animals.

07/12/2024

Participant Reference Group expression of interest
applications close Friday, 13 December 2024.

If you complete the expression of interest for this opportunity, the NDIS will contact you by the end of January 2025.

Background
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA or Agency) is committed to working closely with participants, their families and carers.

What is the Participant Reference Group?
The Participant Reference Group is made up of 24 participant and carer representatives from across Australia.

The NDIA uses feedback from Participant Reference Group meetings to continue to improve the NDIS.

They work on new and current policies.

Who can express an interest to join the Participant Reference Group?
This opportunity is open to NDIS participants, Plan nominees, carers, child representatives or family members.

All Participant reference group members must also be a member of the Participant First Engagement Initiative. If you have not already done so, you can complete a Participant Information form (opens in new window) https://myform.apps.ndia.gov.au/?src=https://forms.apps.ndia.gov.au/jpgbthlbzknpuvv/participantfirstinformationinfoform&org=ndis&theme=ndis.

Existing members can also apply to extend their membership.

If you have any questions, please email participant.engagement@ndis.gov.au.

*Link to participant first engagement application (the precursor to participant reference group).

04/11/2024

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-05/qantas-assistance-dog-federal-court-disability-discrimination/104542616

Qantas agrees to change and clarify its application processes for assistance dogs after being sued for disability discrimination.