From Shelter Dog to Service Dog: Ginni’s Story
“She was a great match for the family, and she had the drive to learn and succeed as a service dog,” says Helena Clark, founder of Chance 4 Change Animal Rescue in Greytown.
Ginger - now known as Ginni -is currently training to become an epilepsy support dog for her human, 23‑year‑old Zinnia. Her journey, however, began at the Masterton District Council animal shelter, where strong community partnerships helped her find her way to a new job and a new whānau.
Ginni and her brother Fred were picked up on Johnston Street at around three to four months old in July 2025, after being reported roaming. Their owners couldn’t afford to release them from the shelter, so the dogs became the responsibility of the Council.
“I knew there was something special about Ginger and Fred,” says Animal Control Officer Garry. “But we were really struggling to rehome them, and the options weren’t looking good.”
Masterton District Council works hard to rehome dogs that are picked up or surrendered and are assessed as suitable for adoption. They partner with rescue agencies across the district, who take in dogs from the shelter, find foster homes, and support the rehoming process. In return, the Council registers dogs fostered in the Masterton district through rescues at no initial cost.
“We work with all rescue agencies and are incredibly grateful for their support, but I really want to shout out Chance 4 Change, who have been absolutely massive for us,” says Team Lead Gordon. “Helena and her team take most dogs in our care that are suitable for rehoming. They pick them up, place them in foster care, and keep us updated right through to adoption.”
Chance 4 Change has been operating since late 2023. They take private surrenders and work with pounds across the lower North Island, giving dogs a second chance at finding their forever homes. Since opening, they’ve taken in 92 pound dogs - 43 of them from the Council.
“Dogs deserve a second chance. Rescue dogs make wonderful additions to families,” Helena says. “But with the sheer number of dogs coming into pounds across the country, we’re hitting capacity. It’s tough to rescue and rehome them all.”
Helena had a pre‑existing relationship with the Council team, and since Gordon’s appointment as Team Lead, the partnership has only strengthened. Together, they’ve helped surrendered or unclaimed dogs find new homes.
“Gordon called us and said, ‘Hey, we’ve picked up Ginger and her brother - can you come and see if you can find them a home?’” Helena recalls. “I went to see them, and they were just two beautiful dogs.”
A foster home was found quickly, and Chance 4 Change transported both pups to their new foster home in central Wellington. The foster family was active and quickly saw Ginger’s potential. They put significant work into her obedience and socialisation - taking her to cafés, exploring different walks, and exposing her to new environments. Ginger took everything in her stride.
“She had a beautiful energy with people - especially children.”
During this time, Helena was contacted by NZ Epilepsy Assist Dogs. While not common practice, they wanted to explore whether any dogs in rescue care showed potential to be trained as epilepsy support dogs.
“They needed a dog with a beautiful personality and a real eagerness to work and learn.”
Both Ginger and Fred were excellent candidates - and the team agreed. Matching a dog to a family is incredibly important.
Ginger then went on a two‑week trial, a key step for all potential adoptions through Chance 4 Change. Although she wasn’t bred to be a service dog, she showed all the right attributes.
“It was a wonderful trial - a match made in heaven - and the family confirmed the adoption. It’s incredibly special that Ginger went from a pound dog to a service dog,” Helena says.
With a strong bond formed, Ginni began her training.
“We had been on the waitlist for around six years for an epilepsy service dog. COVID, however, had disrupted breeding programmes, and there simply weren’t dogs available,” says Zinnia - known as Zinni - whose whānau adopted Ginni.
Zinni, 23, lives with poorly controlled epilepsy and Tourette syndrome.
“Then came the call from Chance 4 Change about Ginni. It was a risk, because she wasn’t bred for service work, but she showed so much potential. So we took it.
“She’s only the second dog in 20 years to be found this way - it really was something special.”
“When we met her, she was completely Zen. She bonded with each family member, even helping my younger sister who was scared of dogs. She’s doing extremely well in her training. She knows exactly what to do once that coat goes on,” says Zinni.
Now nearly 11 months old, Ginni is learning and growing quickly. Her calm nature and low‑stress response to most situations make her a perfect fit for the whānau. She gives Zinni the confidence to step out into the world knowing her trusted best friend is right beside her.
“Ginni has truly changed Zinni’s life and has enriched the lives of our entire whānau. We are forever grateful to NZ Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust and Chance 4 Change for recognising her potential, the foster whānau who cared for her so lovingly, and Sonia Calvert, her trainer, for the dedication and skill she has invested in her,” says Toni, Zinni’s mum.
“Ginger’s story is an absolute success and shows what an incredible companion a rescue dog can be.
If you’d like to support Chance 4 Change or NZ Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust, head to their websites to learn how you can help them continue their important work.
