Pittwater Life November 2020 Issue

News
Happy snaps in Dog Project
One Whale Beach
mum’s tenacity to see
her daughter’s lifeeducation
grow has led to a
book called The Dog Project,
due for release next month.
Tania Kerr wanted to do
more for daughter India, 18,
who had to leave the school
system due to learning
difficulties, the result of a
brain injury because of a
stroke at birth.
She also has mild cerebral
palsy.
While holidaying in the US,
Tania came up with the idea of
a book dedicated to local dogs.
Moreover, India would play a
big role in its production.
“I saw a photographic book
called Canines of New York,
with a short bio on each
dog,” Tania said. “I knew a
photographer and I thought
‘it’s achievable’.”
Furthermore, she said dogs
CANINE CONSULTATIONS: Working with dogs has been a confidence booster for Whale Beach teen India Kerr.
were effectively her daughter’s
connection to the community,
as she regularly walked them
and loved them.
“We had an interview
template for India and she was
able to ask owners questions
about their dogs,” Tania said.
Enter photographer Elle Hall
could also be protective and,
as a result, she felt safer and
more independent with her
who lived next door to the dogs around.
Kerrs. She took on the project She said the project had
and began shooting pictures allowed her to meet many
of dogs who they met in the interesting people and their
Avalon/Palm Beach area. pets.
In addition to the countless “I asked the owners the
hours photographing, Elle also names of their dogs and the
edited the stories – all at no breeds,” India said. “I was
cost.
able to find out about their
“I did it because I love Indi characters, their favourite
so much,” Elle explained. “It foods, and where they liked
was nice to do something to go.
from a motivation of love and “What I’ve liked most about
kindness, not money.”
this project is the way it
She said the book’s goal has all come together. It has
was to profile 100 dogs and brought community together
to record the progress of the and there is communication
project on social media. between us.”
“When we started, Indi was While The Dog Project is
like a timid little girl, always mostly about dogs, there are
asking for reassurance of her also some human profiles.
questions,” she said. “Now In particular, Paralympics
that it’s nearly finished, her snowboarder Ben Tudhope
communication skills and features in the book.
confidence levels have vastly Money raised from the sale
improved.”
will go to CPA (Cerebral Palsy
India’s support worker Maria Alliance), India’s charity of
Gerathy, from Hireup, agreed: choice.
“It’s been wonderful for India The Dog Project will be
to learn different skills, like launched at Avalon Bowling
working collaboratively, Club, 4 Bowling Green Lane,
to achieve something
at 2.30pm on Saturday,
meaningful.”
December 5.
India, who has two dogs of *For a preview, check out The_
her own, described her pets Dog_Project on Instagram or
Daisy and Stella as happy and visit thedogprojectcpa.com
always loving. She said they
– Rod Bennett
24 NOVEMBER 2020
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