Sometimes the missing piece in someone’s life is a dog.
That’s the case for several Victorians who are blind, or have low vision, and in need of extra support in their day to day lives.
This month, the Petbarn Foundation has officially launched its 10th annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal, with the aim to raise over $1 million to fund 20 Seeing Eye Dogs to provide vital support and independence to Australians with vision difficulties.
Vision Australia estimates there are 453,000 people in Australia who are blind or have low vision with this figure expected to increase to 564,000 by 2030.
Petbarn is a proud long-term partner of Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, 2023 marking the 10th year of the partnership.
Since 2014, the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dog Appeal has raised $6.169m for Vision
Australia to help train 125 puppies for Australians who are blind or have low vision.
From Monday 26 June, Australians are encouraged to ‘Train-up a pup’ by donating at Petbarn stores or online to support the training and expertise needed to turn puppies into Seeing Eye Dogs.
It costs over $50,000 and takes up to two years to train a Seeing Eye Dog.
Pet academy trainer Jack Burns from Petbarn in Chirnside said he has a Seeing Eye Dog with him at all times while the puppy is in its first year of training, and has been a rewarding experience for him.
“It’s just like having a puppy as a pet, but with a much bigger support system to help you with training, and at the end of the year the puppy moves on to formal training,” he said.
Training begins from eight weeks of age, where puppies begin to learn basic socialisation skills, basic commands and walking on a lead from volunteer carers around the community.
At approximately 12 months of age, they progress for up to five months of expert training
with a specialised instructor.
Once they’ve completed formal training, the Seeing Eye Dog is then matched up with a suitable client in need of a dog, to support them on their journey.
Mr Burns said not all of the puppies make it through the formal training, or aren’t suited to the working life.
“The puppies that don’t make it through training either move on to be family dogs, or even become therapy dogs to help other people that need support,” he said.
Rolf Geerlings, who has had a Seeing Eye Dog companion, said he couldn’t stress enough the profound impact his Seeing Eye Dogs have had on his life.
Echo was his first Seeing Eye Dog, who Mr Geerlings described as “absolutely amazing and beautiful.
“Echo changed my life. We were inseparable for 10 years. She was my rock,” he said.
When Echo retired, she remained with Mr Geerlings, and that’s when he met Stella, his current Seeing Eye Dog.
Echo and Stella helped him break free from his shell and gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.
“When you have low vision, you can be surrounded by a crowd and still feel utterly alone. But all it takes is a little lick from my faithful companion to reassure me that everything will be ok and that I’ll never be alone,” said Mr Geerlings.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton said the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal is the biggest annual fundraiser for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs.
“By donating, you’re not only helping us train and provide Seeing Eye Dogs to Aussies who need them, but you’re giving someone the gift of greater independence,” he said.
“On behalf of the team at Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, I want to say a big thank you to all the Petbarn customers who have supported us over the past 10 years, we really appreciate it.
“We’re looking forward to the next 10 years continuing to help Australians who are blind or have low vision by training up as many Seeing Eye Dogs as possible.”
Donations to the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal can be made at any Petbarn store, or online at https://www.petbarn.com.au/seda
