Southern Lakes District co-ordinator for the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust Grant Reid said he had placed dogs in Invercargill and Christchurch, but no-one from Otago has yet applied.
"Part of it is people are not aware of what the dogs can do for them, and part of it is they don't know we exist," Mr Reid said.
Mobility dogs could be trained for specific applicants to perform tasks such as activating pedestrian crossing buttons, retrieving or carrying items, turning on lights, opening cupboards and doors and loading or unloading a washing machine, Mr Reid said.
The Southern Lakes branch of Mobility Dogs is the only one outside Auckland.
It comprises a group of people who help raise and train dogs for a year before the dogs travel to Auckland to complete more comprehensive training.
"We train in the downtown area of Arrowtown. It's a nice urban area which helps with the training, and we also do a similar thing in Queenstown.
"What's unique to our area is we take them on the Earnslaw and they get used to getting on a boat and we take them up on the gondola."
Mr Reid and the other dog raisers teach basic skills, including proper etiquette when walking beside a wheelchair. The dogs are also trained by "tether walking".
"The person is tethered to the dog to get the dog used to walking next to a wheelchair and not pulling.
"The person puts on a belt and the handler does not touch the lead."
Puppy development liaison Judy Reid said the raisers were "very valuable to the existence of the club". Without them the trust could not supply enough dogs.
Three mobility dogs are in training in Arrowtown, not including Fleur who has become the "ambassadog" and performs PR duties for the trust.
Maya and Meg are sisters aged 8 months and Merlin is 14 months.
The dogs are placed with people with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, cerebal palsy, spinal cord injuries and amputees.
"Anyone with a physical disability can apply and would have a good chance of getting a dog."
Those who wish to apply for a mobility dog can apply online at www.mobilitydogs.co.nz.
