Sana is located in Bungendore NSW on the fringes of Canberra.
Our priorities are to breed and train Labs that will serve their owners and become operational as highly intuative support dogs for First Responders dealing with PTSD. We focus on a balanced, moderate style of Lab who conforms to the breed standard and behaviourally, is an all-rounder. Epitomising the intelligence, loyalty and versatility of this breed. Our dogs have strong retrieval drive, focus and a 'switch off ability so they can settle and be the gentle loving Labs we all know and love. We have an policy where we encourage potential clients to contact us and visit our establishment.
About Sana
The word ‘Sana’ is taken from the Latin translation of ‘healthy’ or ‘to heal’. It can also be translated as ‘brilliant’, ‘radiance’ and ‘praise’. This ethos of our dogs healing us through their love and support is how Sana was born.
Owner and trainer Kristy Milligan VA served for over 15 years in the New South Wales Police Force rising to the rank of Sergeant and being awarded the NSW Police Commissioner’s Valour Award for conspicuous merit and exceptional bravery after being attacked by a man wielding a meat cleaver and knife in 2013. Kristy began suffering the debilitating effects of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression before being medically discharged in 2021. Kristy relocated from Sydney to the rural town of Bungendore that had been her second home for the previous 20 years. Despite these changes, Kristy’s condition continued to decline and resulted in her researching the use of assistance dogs to manage her symptoms. Kristy purchased Monty, a pup with 5 generations of specialty bred service lines as a pup for the purpose of him becoming her Assistance Dog. With the help and guidance of Monty’s breeder, Pauline Gill from Tapua Labrador Retrievers, Monty exceeded all expectations in helping Kristy navigate her way in her new life.
Seeing the lack of support provided to the First Responder community, Kristy started Sana with the goal of training pups from 8 weeks to a level where they can be partnered with their handler by 9 months of age having already undertaken hundreds of hours training in public places, shopping centres and medical facilities. Kristy’s 13 year old Labrador Murphy in conjunction with Monty now play a pivotal as a role model in teaching these pups the roles and responsibilities expected of an Assistance Dog.
2023 Royal Agricultural Society, Sydney Royal Show Canine Hero Companion Dog Award.
Our pups are raised on a 1000-acre property located in Bungendore, just 40 minutes outside of Canberra. During their training, these pups interact with an established pack of dogs (see Sana Team and Farm Dog Team) and the resident horses, cows and even alpacas. The pups are socialised not only in the farm environment, but in the big wide world. These adventures include supermarkets, medical visits, cafes and everyday outings associated with day-to-day life. This experience establish a foundation of behaviours for when they are placed with their perfect person that need may the extra support to get through some or all of these daily activities.
Sana dogs are trained for the purpose of being a dedicated assistance animal, however they still have the opportunity to be puppies. At Sana, we integrate training into everyday activities, whether this be off leash walks around livestock or socialising in public venues. Sana recently partnered with a local not-for-profit charity Picking Up the Peaces that provides support for people living with PTSD and the associated illnesses. Paws for Picking Up the Peaces is the canine program established to utilise Assistance and Therapy dogs to manage the impact of PTSD sufferers.
Sana in conjunction with Picking Up the Peaces aims to raise awareness of the effects of PTSD and the value that canine companions have in preventing suicide and managing the debilitating physical and psychological symptoms.
