Canine captain sets sail for medical awareness

Rowan Anderson

Journalist

Email Rowan
Last updated:
Doogie and handler Francesca with his furry friends IMAGE: Supplied

It’s that old story of the canine captain sailing around Australia for medical research and awareness.

That got your attention! Such a unique story that its worth telling – Doogie the red Labrador travelling with his handler and philanthropist Francesca Hargrave and skipper, Ian to raise awareness for new research into schizophrenia treatment.

Travelling around Australia by yacht having started in the Mornington Peninsula, Ms Hargrave spoke with Newsport from their stopover in Port Douglas.

“We have made our way up the east coast and currently taking a couple of days off in Port Douglas to enjoy the area,” she said.

“He (Doogie) loves to eat in restaurants and go shopping, and most of all to sniff out other dogs on the beaches - as a service dog he goes everywhere.”

“Doogie has his sea legs now and feels very comfortable on the yacht - he likes to be up the front and giving instructions to the skipper, Ian.”

The voyage is to raise awareness for Schizophrenia and ground-breaking research to prove that the condition is not a mental health problem but rather a disease that could be treatable by removing metals from the brain.

This revolutionary treatment could help millions of people around the world to get the proper treatment while redefining Schizophrenia as a treatable disease.

“Doogie has a loved one he cares greatly about who has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia.”

The cutting-edge research is being conducted by Professor Ashley Bush and his team at the
Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Professor Bush discovered brain metal metabolism as a major factor in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and focuses on the neurobiology of metal ions and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Treating highly stigmatised conditions as a disease transforms the lives of approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people worldwide.

Not only is the voyage in aid of this research but also to help to remove the stigma associated with Schizophrenia also.

“We know that the world sees Schizophrenia and even dementia all wrong – so we are on a mission to get breakthroughs for those diagnosed.”

Currently more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide with nearly 10 million new cases every year.

The journey has given the team of three a unique viewpoint of the country while also experience powerful weather conditions, but it is Doogie’s furry companions that he misses greatly and finds the most ruff as this awareness spreading voyage continues.

“Doogie is a very social dog and craves the affection of his other dog friends at home though.

“He would love to meet up with other dogs for a play in the park along the remainder of his journey and welcomes anyone to come and visit him.”

Their trip can be followed along with planned stops, the next being Cooktown, on the adventures Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tour2cure/


Thank you!

Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.



Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.


* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.