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Before training Bentley to be her support dog, Angel Oliver was living with a constant state of severe anxiety, and dealing with a rollercoaster of health issues.
But now Oliver, who struggles with anxiety, ADHD, autism and autoimmune issues, has found huge solace in having Bentley the golden digger by her side.
“I couldn’t do so many of the everyday things others take for granted, like not being able to stand in a packed lift or walk through a crowded building without a panic attack,” she said.
“I told a [dog] trainer that I can’t go to the supermarket because I get panic attacks, and they said: ‘You know if you have a disability you could actually train him and apply for him to be your assistant animal?’”
Oliver is telling her story at Darvella Patisserie in Bulimba. The cafe’s owner, Giorgina Venzin, explains to this masthead that the pair are regulars, with Bentley a particular fan of her puppacinos.
Like Venzin, Bentley is a social media star, with his life documented on Instagram under the accounts bentleythegoldendigger and brisbanedogfriendly.
Oliver originally got Bentley as a pet – “he was simply my puppy” – but as she experienced a traumatic event, and her health began to unravel, she came to rely on him more and more.
After a year of training with MindDog Australia, Bentley is now a certified support dog. He helps Oliver through companionship, deep pressure therapy and even glucose monitoring.
“He helps just by being there and helping me deal with my health issues,” she said.
The Brisbane Dog Friendly page existed before Oliver came to the city, with a mission of highlighting dog-friendly venues around the city.
Once she moved up from Melbourne in 2024 and took over the account, Oliver worked to turn it into an even stronger community.
“When I first moved to Brisbane I had no friends,” she said.
“With Brisbane Dog Friendly we straight away have one thing in common, the dog. You don’t have to be nervous about what to talk about because we have the dog to talk about.”
Oliver has also found the account to be a useful way to educate people about support dogs.
Under Queensland law, service dogs are only exempt from certain parts of health facilities, like procedure rooms, ambulances and places where food is prepared.
After letting staff know that Bentley is a support dog, most places are accommodating, although Oliver has run into a few instances of pushback.
“One time a doctor’s clinic said no [to Bentley accompanying Oliver for an appointment] even though he’s a service dog,” she said.
“Everyone has different rules and I respect that.”
For Oliver, Bentley is more than just a pet. “He’s my soul dog – a very companionship type of dog. He’s very bubbly, he will make you feel special.”
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