LOCAL LIFE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE : Barking with Bianca
Bianca regularly takes dogs to visit first responders to give them a quick mental health break and , of course , a certificate of appreciation for looking after our communities .
by Lorna Gordon
If you are a pet lover , you want your furry friend to be in the right hands for walking , doggy daycare , training or being looked after while you are on holiday . Finding the right person or people to do this isn ’ t easy , most people rely on word of mouth or research online to find someone you trust .
Bianca Santucci began dog walking and pet sitting six years ago and hasn ’ t looked back . She enjoyed getting out in the fresh air with the dogs and was soon hearing from clients that dog training was something they felt would be helpful . Listening to her clients , Bianca studied a Certificate III in training and behaviour and added this to her services .
Realising meeting the needs of her clients was the best way to grow her business , Bianca once more listened when they said they were looking for ‘ home boarding ’ where dogs are boarded in a home like environment with free access to the outdoors , rather than a traditional kennel .
“ When I asked my clients about boarding , they said they preferred that type of care . It gives the dogs more stimulation and freedom , there are a lot of people who still use the kennel facility not realising there is an alternative , that ’ s why asking the community was important .”
Bianca also runs a ‘ doggy daycare ’, helping to teach anxious dogs that it ’ s OK to be away from their owners and reduce separation anxiety . This service has been especially important since people were home all the time with their dogs during
COVID lockdowns and their pets weren ’ t used to being on their own for extended periods during the day .
When she first started walking the dogs , Bianca became aware of how much her own mental health improved . She enjoyed being outside , exercising and meeting new people while she was taking the dogs on walks . Realising the benefit to not only her own mental health , but to those in the community she connected with through the dogs , she decided to give back to the community which supports her business .
“ I did a short course with lifeline on being an ‘ accidental counsellor ’, it ’ s a great course when you find themselves talking to people who might need support , but not realise that they do or it ’ s in an emergency situation .”
Bianca is an ambassador for the Hope4U organisation which supports people through mental health problems , and the aftermath of loosing someone to suicide . She regularly takes her dogs out to visit old folks homes in the community to allow the residents to interact with them and brighten up their day , and also gets asked to go into schools and pre-schools to educate the children on how to interact with dogs safely or do talks on working with animals as a career path for the older children .
Being part of the community has helped Bianca grow her business and give back to the people who need support . If you need your furry friend looked after while you are at work or going on holiday , then you can get in touch through her website www . barkingwithbianca . com .
Spring
Dine In Specials
WEDNESDAY
Purchase two pizzas , two pastas , hot chips and garden salad
Takeaway specials will be charged full price . Takeaway of specials will incur a surcharge . Commences Sunday 1 September 2024 until Saturday 30 November 2024 . Dine in only . No substitutions or variations . Members price , members discount already applied . Members only special , must present membership card . No further discounts apply . Images are for illustrative purposes only . Offers not available on Public Holidays or special event days . Available until sold out . Available only during piazza trading hours .
CSIMARCONI
$ 50 Family Bundle
Available during Cucina81 operating hours . Dine in only . Excludes some Tradidional and all Gourmet Pizza . Excludes some pastas .
FRIDAY
$ 15 Crispy Chicken Burger
Buttermilk bun , with lettuce , tomato and aioli sauce served with chips
Available during Cucina81 operating hours . Dine in only . No substitutes are allowed .
BEVERAGE SPECIAL
WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY
THURSDAY
$ 15 Beer Battered Fish & Chips
SATURDAY
Served with chips and aioli sauce
Available during Cucina81 operating hours . Dine in only . No substitutes are allowed .
$ 20 Steak
250gm beef sirloin served with chips , salad and your choice of sauce
Available during Cucina81 operating hours . Dine in only . No substitutes are allowed .
Kids Eat Free
Receive 1 FREE Kids meal with the purchase of any main meal
Available during Cucina81 operating hours . Dine in only . No substitutes are allowed . Main meals consist of pizza , pasta , risotto and mains .
Seniors 2 for 1 Main Meals
Present your seniors card when purchasing a main meal
Available during lunch trade only between 12pm until 3pm . Dine in only . Must present seniors card . A discount will be applied to the meal of equal or lesser value . Main meals consist of pizza , pasta , risotto and mains .
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY
$ 5 Schooners
Purchase a schooner of VB , Great Northern SC or Carlton Dry for $ 5 between 5pm-7pm .
$ 5 Wine Purchase a glass of Marconi Estate Shiraz or Sauvignon Blanc for $ 5 etween 5pm-7pm .
CSI Marconi practices the Responsible Service of Alcohol .
81 South Street , Schofields NSW 2762 Ph 02 9627 4435 www . csimarconi . com . au
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 44 // NOVEMBER 2024 11