Ten-year-old Charlee Hosking has found joy in her time with Yip Yip, a kelpie in training. Yip Yip was one of nine kelpie puppies auctioned off during a fundraiser at the Perth Royal Show. The event aimed to support sick children in Western Australia and marked the conclusion of the Kelpies for Kids project, which raised $48,000 for Telethon. This initiative allowed children like Charlee to bond with the pups and their trainers throughout the year.

Kate Willcocks, the program organizer, noted that the positive feedback from this year's event suggests it will continue in the future. "This year, we've had dogs purchased which will be going Australia-wide. We've also had dogs stay local," Ms. Willcocks said. "Next year is already in the planning stages, so we are going to see how we go."

The program provided children with the chance to interact with working dogs, helping to build their confidence and foster connections. Charlee has been battling brain tumors since early childhood and has spent considerable time receiving treatment at Perth Children's Hospital. Her mother, Sharnee Hosking, expressed her happiness in seeing Charlee interact with Yip Yip and the dog's trainer, Gordon Curtis.

"She absolutely loves Yip Yip; it lights up her day," Ms. Hosking said. "It is also an aspect of life that she wouldn't normally access, so when we can, she's been able to go to Gordon's farm and spend time with him and the dog."

The Kelpies for Kids initiative has inspired communities beyond Western Australia. Victorian author Anne Mallia traveled across the Nullarbor to attend the auction in early October. "A couple of months ago, I was watching a Landline documentary about Kate's story and Kelpies for Kids," Ms. Mallia said. "I wanted to be involved somehow, so I contacted Kate and the rest is history, I guess."

Ms. Mallia collaborated with Kelpies for Kids, donating proceeds from her book, "Mackie," which tells the story of an adventurous kelpie pup. She ensured that everyone involved in this year's program received a copy of the book as a token of appreciation. "It's just a bit of recognition of the work they have done with their master trainers, their dogs," Ms. Mallia said.

The Kelpies for Kids project continues to make a significant impact on the lives of children facing health challenges, providing them with unique experiences and connections to working dogs.