About
With Melanie are, from left to right, foster pup Aslan the Saluki, Slipstream the whippet, Squeak AKA Tiny Dancer, Iota AKA Scruffy Ray of Sunshine, and Cricket AKA Tricky Cricky
since she was a wee girl…
...BachingDog's Melanie Sweeney has been drawn to animals. On a camping trip as a two-year-old she went missing from the family tent and was found, after frantic searching, at the opposite end of the camp ground sitting underneath a tethered horse, chatting away to him. At five, Melanie would seek solace from Sasha, the family’s Afghan hound, confiding in her when burdened by a five-year-old’s troubles. These days, Melanie is dedicated to helping animals, dogs in particular, with their troubles, through education, advocacy, fundraising, fostering and her BachingDog behaviour consultation services.
Melanie has a passion for helping people and dogs live well together. Her Foundations for Foster Care – Dogs and Foundations for Foster Care - Greyhounds workshops were developed to enable carers to feel better equipped in their role, and her DogMatch service helps people in their search for a new canine companion. As a Pet Educator in NSW schools she has encouraged empathy for our canine friends while teaching thousands of children how to be safe around dogs. She has taught people of all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults, and loves witnessing (and experiencing) light bulb moments.
Melanie’s approach to enhancing canine wellbeing is built on the understanding that good nutrition is the foundation for good outcomes, and she believes that building dog owners’ sense of guardianship and helping them become more dog savvy helps both dogs and humans thrive.
She lives with her clan of 10 animals whom she regards as companions of the highest order, and she agrees entirely with JM Barrie that ‘Life is a long lesson in humility.’