This Woman Walked the Overland Track With the Help of Her Assistance Dog Lenny

 

Every Overland Track completion is a massive accomplishment, but walking the premier alpine track looked a little different for Elise Smith, with her assistance dog Lenny by her side every step of the way.

Elise has always enjoyed hiking and living an active lifestyle, but in 2018 she became unwell. As a result, she was unable to continue the outdoor activities she loved. Then Elise met Lenny, a little labradoodle pocket-rocket always up for an adventure, who became her medical and psychiatric assistance dog.

As a trained assistance dog, Lenny lets Elise know when an anxiety episode is coming on so she can sit down to manage it. Elise also has PTSD and Lenny will anticipate a panic attack and help by sitting on her chest.

Thanks to Lenny and Elise’s shared love for the outdoors, Elise could consider hiking adventures again and the Overland Track was in sight. After months of specialised hiking training, Lenny was ready to go and the two set off on their adventure along with Elise’s dad.

Lenny on the trail

Training Lenny to Hike Through a National Park

Traditionally, dogs aren’t allowed in national parks, so Elise had to email Parks Tasmania with Lenny’s training records to apply for a permit to be legally allowed on the trail.

Lenny then received extensive training in wildlife management including learning to ‘disappear’ by laying down very still if there’s wildlife around, and snake avoidance training. He was trained to only toilet on command to ensure he did so in suitable areas. Lenny was also trained to only walk on the left-hand side and to stay by Elise’s leg so he didn’t walk off trail or get in anyone’s way.

Lenny was kitted out for the hike with special shoes to protect his feet and a harness so he could be clipped onto Elise or her dad and carried over the trickier parts of the trail.

Elise and Lenny’s physical training started with short walks and gradually built up to get him used to the longer distances. Elise says Lenny loves being outdoors, ‘he usually starts smiling the second I pick up my backpack,’ she told ABC.

So how did Lenny handle long days of hiking? It seems he was just fine. ‘We got to the hut every night and all he wanted to do was run around and play’, Elise told the ABC.

Elise training with Lenny

About the Overland Track

Tasmania’s Overland Track sits within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is one of the country’s most popular trails. It crosses Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, winding through temperate rainforest, glacial mountains, alpine plains, and wild rivers. Officially the distance is 65km, however, depending on the side trails chosen, the distance can vary up to around 125km.

Read more: Overland Track Hut-to-Hut

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What’s next for Elise and Lenny?

For Elise, being outdoors and active is an important part of managing her mental health, and this adventure with Lenny has inspired many people to look at how a support dog can help them become more active.

‘I’ve had a lot of people reach out on social media saying hey I love being outside but it’s just not visible on my own any more and a dog would be perfect. So I’ve guided quite a few people on how to start that process’, Elise told the ABC.

Meanwhile, Elise and Lenny are busy planning their next adventure.

Images thanks to ABC News and Elise Smith