PROVIDING HIGH STANDARDS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE...
When 'love' comes home...
About Me...
Bred for Connection...
Sharing the Love...
Hi, my name is Bridget
I pride myself on being an experienced and educated breeder. Having 25+ years breeding Golden Retrievers. I have attended world class conferences for best practices in animal welfare and breeding standards. And still learning!
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In my career, I have 20+ years working as Clinical Counsellor, offering emotional & therapeutic supports. My beloved GOLDIES have een such a gift in playing beautiful roles in the areas of animal assisted therapeutic services.
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I am a member of Animal Therapies Ltd. and have practiced therapeutically in a varity of contexts with my dogs.
I am very passionate about ways of offering the beauty and the benefits of the natural world in therapeutic practice. Having my dogs with me is a way that supports both practitioner and clients alike.
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Iv'e seen first hand how dogs can create a welcoming and calming environment that makes therapy feel less clinical and more approachable. Their ability to offer unconditional acceptance and respond to emotions can help clients feel seen, supported, and connected throughout their therapeutic journey. Especially when people are not always safe enough.
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I was gifted my first Golden Retriever at 13 years of age as a ‘coming of age’ celebration.​ Over 25 years later, I have continued to learn and develop my expertise and experience as a specialised, professional Breeder.
I continue to improve my learning by attending breeding and training conferences that equate me to holding one of Australia's leading breeding programs.
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Wakatabu puppies are not only bred well, but raised to be healthy, happy, and well-adjusted puppies.
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I apply my knowledge on wach puppy's development, to ensure I am raising the best possible puppies.
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Parent Standards - Bred to compliment each other in both health and temperament. With all the necessary checks and passes.
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‘Wakatabu’- drawn to love…
A small select kennel originally located in Hobart’s Eastern shore~
'nanililypata country.' We are now moving between states TAS, SA & VIC with our girls Daisy- Family pet + therapy dog- residing in 'Kaurna Country'~ Adelaide's Northern Plains).
Mazzy is on a guardianship program & living her best life with a wonderful family. She has had one litter and will have her 2nd and final letter to come on 'nanililypata' country (Hobart's Easternshore). Adorable Delilah- 'Dolly' is a rising 2 year old and set to be our next Mama in our breeding program. She resides with my Aunt in Melbourne’s east on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.
Sieva- ‘The Wonder Dog’ was our first GOLDIE I bred from when the kennel was established in 1989.
I have bred beautiful family dogs as well as Service Dogs, Facility Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs.
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The role of dogs is being increasingly recognised in public spaces as a source of support. We are entering new territory where schools, hospitals, residential aged care, funeral homes, and courtrooms may all have access to a dog’s presence. Across these settings, people are discovering the powerful positive impact dogs can have in easing stress and supporting individuals through challenging environments.
Overall, goldies are easy to train, and with the right start in life at Wakatabu, they will be prepared and redied for their forever home.
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You can expect to enjoy the many blessings come from raising such a beautiful dog.
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I offer other breeders services for animal welfare standards as well as midwifery-style puppy whelping and raising.
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“MID-WOOFERY" SERVICES
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EARLY PUPPY LIFE CARE NEEDS
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GUIDED SUPPORT WITH PUPPY DEVELOPMENT
I take particular care in preparing EACH puppy for re- homing. In the early days, from lovingly preparing Mama through to tender, neo- natal, around the clock puppy- centred care. Through to a gradual increase of "training" with careful attention to their emotional and developmental canine needs.
Such needs include- optimal health and medical care, intentional, and puppy- centred exposure to human handling.
I create wonderment and joy through purposeful times of exposure, exploration by 'learning by doing' and then intriduce voice and training directives that aligns to their readiness and developmental benchmarks.​
Puppy Curriculum + Development provides a structured 'program planning' curriculum to ensure that puppies will learn the that world is safe, people are kind, cars are ok and animals can be friendly; but have yes' and no's.
I guide and mould puppies based upon critical learning periods, by constantly evaluating and adjusting planning to strengthen puppies' confidence, nerve strength and startle recovery.
I provide families Puppy updates, Training Booklets, Puppy Evaluations & Temperament Testing records.
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I purpose to: not only breed healthy dogs. But to raise puppies on a guided curriculum that actually works.
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With applying these principles and strategies into the Puppy Cirriculum, Alongside, health and temperament evaluation, it is my purpose to prepare puppies so their furever homes and people get the dog they need.
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I prepare families with updates and information and support in the hopes that the puppies will also the human/s they deserve.
The Wombles....
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Registered Breeder?
Responsible, registered breeders make conscientious decisions when deciding to produce a litter. This requires a lot of planning, skill and experience and carefully considering the heritable health conditions of their breed, each individual dog’s health testing, and considering the parents’ temperaments, overall health, pedigrees, and conformation in order to make the best matches.
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There are breed-specific health tests that registered breeders perform to screen for any conditions of concern (e.g., hip and elbow dysplasia, heart conditions, and eye diseases) in order to decrease the likelihood of producing puppies with heritable conditions.
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Responsible, registered breeders ensure that their dogs emotional, and cognitive needs are met by ensuring they receive appropriate stimulation, activity and social interaction. A responsible breeder is also devoted to producing behaviourally sound puppies.
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Responsible breeders will often have experience with training and behaviour, and they will put a lot of effort into ensuring their puppies have safe and stimulating early life experiences. By exposing their puppies to different sounds and sensations, people of many different appearances and ages, as well as other animals, and beginning basic training using methods such as positive training they prepare their puppies for successful transitions into their new homes.
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Responsible breeders will limit breeding frequency, ensuring dogs are not overbred and have adequate time for recovery and wellbeing.
They will invest in ongoing education, keeping up to date with advancements in genetics, animal welfare, puppy development, and best-practice breeding standards.
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I encourage puppy buyers to please do their own HW and be guided by ethics and welfare for responsibly purchasing a furever friend.
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Do you breed emotional support dogs?
Yes! More and more, people are facing increased life pressures which result in experiences of loneliness, depression, anxiety, or other emotionally supportive needs. All our pups are aptitude and temperament tested and raised on a certified developmental curriculum. For those owners planning to have their pup as an emotional support dog to offer comfort and connection, we will hand select pups and set them up on the path for their next chapter. Further training can be discussed.
Advice can also be offered for seeking specific ongoing training and finding organisations that provide your pup with the relevant training to meet support needs.
Do you sell puppies interstate?
Yes! We have flown puppies across all corners of the nation. Puppies will be vet passed with a 'fit to fly certificate'. The best choice depends on the puppy's age, destination, budget, and the family's preferences. There are however, a variety of options including specialised pet transport companies that can arrange flights between major Australian cities. Door to door services, accompanied travel, and most commonly domestic pet air travel.
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