Puppies, such as Assistance Dogs Australia's newest recruit Digger, will be trained in Wagga to give freedom and independence to people with physical disabilities.

But they need your help and a loving home for the first 18 months of their lives.

While they may look like your average puppies - cute, cuddly and full of life - in just two years time and with your help they will perform tasks that people with physical disabilities find difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

Nothing is impossible for an Assistance Puppy in training. Puppy raisers will teach the pups to catch public transport, pay the cashier or open and close doors.

They also help the pups learn to retrieve all manner of objects, cross the road safely and even press buttons at the traffic lights.

The best part is that these puppies are encouraged to go everywhere with you - so why not have a training session at the local supermarket, a cafe, or take a quiet companion to the cinema?

Because it is all these experiences that will help these pups prepare for their future as Assistance Dogs.

For further information phone Assistance Dogs Australia on 9548 3355 or visit www.assistancedogs.org.au.