By Luke Voogt
Belmont got a dose of puppy love on Monday with the cute and cuddly Vienna and Raya promoting Vision Australia’s latest carer recruitment drive.
The inquisitive pups licked and nuzzled their human companions and new acquaintances in hope of retrieving paws-ome carers for their fellow pooches-in-training.
Vision Australia is looking for Geelong dog-lovers to adopt its latest batch of new-born pups to help them socialise and explore the world.
The organisation’s Laura Allison opened her home to Vienna, a 10-week-old black labrador-golden retriever cross, a few weeks ago.
“She comes with me to different Vision Australia offices – she goes everywhere I go,” the Geelong resident said. “It’s a very social thing.”
The carers look after eight-week-old puppies for about a year, after which they begin their seeing-eye dog training in Melbourne.
But Laura was prepared for the ruff day when Vienna will leave her.
“I have met people with seeing-eye dogs and I know how liberating a seeing-eye dog is for them,” she said.
“I will know where Vienna is going, and I’ll get updates on her progress. I’ll be sad for a few days, but I can also get a new puppy.”
Fellow pup-in-training Raya recently found a home in Geelong with Anne Dylan and her two resident fur children.
The cute and lively Raya was enjoying an afternoon nap after a morning licking puppy trainer Kate Turner and the Indy’s photographer.
“She’ll lick anyone,” Anne said.
Vision Australia provides carers with food and equipment, and sends a seeing-eye dog supervisor for regular visits.
Vision Australia will host a seeing-eye dogs information session next Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm at its Belmont office.
