AKELA
Who Are We?
The Akela Partnership
Get to Know Us
We are Rick and Julie Hancox.
​
Until recently Akela Boarding Kennels were limited to the Private Industry Sector.
Rick has now opened the kennels to the Public Sector as a small and intimate farm stay facility.
​
After a lifetime working with dogs in the Professional Industry (This included training dogs such as Guide Dogs, Assistance Dogs, Sheep Dogs, Rescue Dogs, Pet and Companion Dogs and Specialist Dog Training)
Julie has now chosen to offer to You and Your Dog assistance in any of these areas
​
​
​
​
​
Akela Kennels
​
Ready to help you understand, effectively communicate and train your Dog
​
What Can We Do and What Can't We Do...
​
Please call Julie to chat...there is not much we can't help you with, including information on other services, people and places that may be able to assist you.
​
We can help you with...
Pet Dog Training and Behaviour,
Rescue Dog - building trust and respect without fear
Therapy Dog - Upgrade and Additional Task Training
​
​
​
Puppies
Puppy Sourcing, Rearing and Socialisation guidance and support
Desensitising Pups for the future
Pushy Pups and Placid People - Making new boundaries
Sleepy Pups and Active People - The freedom of Fun
One to One bespoke Assistance
​
​
​
Boarding
Contact Rick Through our Akela Kennels Facebook Page or 027 474 2965
With resident dogs on the property and boarding dogs we limit this service. Facebook Rick on AKELA Kennels to book your friendly dog in for a visit.
Rick Hancox. Mobile 027474 2965
BOOKINGS MANAGER
Akela Kennels
Best Contact through our AKELA KENNELS Facebook Messenger
​
Rick is a carpenter by trade but for the past 15 years he has been working on our property and in the Akela Kennels.
Rick has overseen matings, whelping, and been involved with management during the first few weeks of life for the ADNZ litters.
Rick has built up a sound knowledge of dog body language and is able to formulate 'packs' within the kennel environment that best suit every dog within that group.
​
​
​
​
Julie Hancox. Mobile 027 271 9737
Julie is specialist dog trainer and instructor with many years experience working with disability and assistance dogs.
Julie is a qualified Guide Dog Trainer and Instructor. She was also the Founder of Assistance Dogs New Zealand fulfilling the roles of Trainer and Client Instructor and Client Services Manager in the latter years before leaving in 2020.
​
If you would like to chat more about your dog, any difficulties you are having or training you would like assistance with please contact Julie on 027 271 9737
Training Assessment and Introduction to training - our premises
Behaviour Assessment determined through phone discussion
Specialist Training pricing on Request
Phone Consults $50.00 per hour
​
Please allow two hours for your first session when booking
Akela Kennels
Boarding Kennels
Keeping small numbers at our kennels means that we are able to provide your dog with more attention - free runs in the paddock and monitored time with other dogs.
CV
Experience & Expertise
Founder of Assistance Dogs New Zealand (Charitable Trust 2008) Created Charitable Board of Trustees, Built operational systems. Client interview, assessment, training and placements for Assistance Dogs to a variety of disability's and combinations of disability.Follow up and aftercare with clients. Employed and worked with staff to assist with development of Training, Puppy Development, Fundraising.
Attended International Conferences and used opportunity to network with overseas providers to establish and develop the ADNZ Breeding Program and to share differing methods and training instructing techniques.
Applied and completed criteria required for NZ Government Legal Public Access rights for Assistance Dogs New Zealand Charitable Trust. Achieved international standards for Candidacy and for first five years of Accreditation for Assistance Dogs New Zealand to be a member of Assistance Dogs International.
Commenced work on Digital Data Base for clients and dogs – content, mapping and updating processes and changes.
ADNZ Trainer - Trained a variety of dogs for children with disabilities ranging from Autism, Down syndrome, Diabetes, physical disability, fragile x and provided additional education for replacement ADNZ trainer.
ADNZ Instructor - Interviewed clients and parents of clients with disability around New Zealand. Assessed needs and requirements for suitable matching with an assistance dog. Matched clients to appropriate dogs and then placed and trained these teams over ten day - three week domiciliary programs.
Provided additional training to new Client Instructors and provided ongoing follow up and after care visits for all clients to develop teams and assist with any arising difficulties.
1997 – 2007 Guide Dogs Services RNZFB Guide Dog Trainer / Guide Dog Instructor / Orientation and Mobility Instructor / Massey University Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation / Massey University Certificate in Rehabilitation Studies / UNITEC Animal Care and Handling Certificate / Guide Dog Instructor Diploma / Guide Dog Trainer Diploma Kennel Certificate
