By Luke Voogt
After hurtling down slopes at 100 kilometres an hour, despite being legally-blind, Geelong born-and-bred Paralympian Jess Gallagher is getting behind the inaugural Seeing Eye Dog Puppy Games.
“Who doesn’t like puppies – you only need to look at a puppy and your heart melts,” she said.
“I think it’s a really fun idea and a beautiful time to bring a smile to everybody’s face.”
The pups-in-training will take on the ulti-mutt gamut of tests, beginning July 23, including a food bowl challenge, time trial and ‘doggy distraction course’.
“This is a really cute way to create some exposure for how critical seeing eye dogs are,” Jess said.
The 34-year-old grew up in Highton and has won two bronze Paralympic medals in skiing, plus several more Paralympic and World Championship medals in cycling and athletics.
She has a degenerative eye condition that affects her central vision, but her peripheral vision allows her to ski with a guide just ahead communicating via Bluetooth microphone.
“They’re kind of like a seeing eye dog,” she said.
“I’m eligible for [a seeing eye dog] but I don’t feel that I need one. I’m able to move around my world fairly easily.
“I want them to go to those who can really get the most out of them. They’re life-changing for someone who is blind or has low vision.”
As an ambassador for Vision Australia, since 2010, Jess encouraged Geelong locals to tune in online at thepuppygames.com.au.
All viewer donations will go to seeing eye dog training, with pup costing $50,000 each to train fully.
