From the big smoke to the bush, volunteers from all walks of life are urgently needed to raise the next generation of guide dogs.
There’s a fresh push to recruit people living in or near major Victorian cities like Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo as several litters are due in coming months.
Guide Dogs Victoria spokeswoman Jacqui Bond said trainers living in regional areas offered opportunities for puppies who go on to work in the regions.
“Some of our dogs will need to support someone in rural areas, so puppies need to learn the smells and the sights,” Ms Bond told AAP.
“Learn what a horse is and learn what a cow is, so we want a variety of people.”
The plea came as puppy raisers and handlers celebrated the graduating class of 2022 in Melbourne on Friday.
The 81 dogs and their trainers who finished the course this year faced a unique set of challenges during their training.
The animals started to learn the ropes while much of Victoria was still under public health orders, such as a five kilometre radius, so underwent an adapted program to make sure they finished on time.
About half the animals will become fully fledged guide dogs who assist people living with low vision and blindness to navigate every day life.
The rest will go on to help in other ways, such as therapy or companion dogs working in courts, schools and other settings.
Guide dog handlers Antony Rako and Nikki Drake both waited about 18 months to be paired with their dogs and said the animals have helped them feel far more confident out in public.
“I’m able to get places quicker and more efficiently,” Mr Rako said while holding onto his Golden Retriever Brett.
Ms Drake described Perdi the Labrador as her “little right hand helper” and said she had become far more independent since they were paired up, particularly in busy places like shopping centres.
“I just think a lot of people don’t understand how much we rely on them,” Ms Drake told AAP.
The puppies were placed in trainer’s homes at eight weeks old and went through about two years of training before being placed with handlers.
It costs about $50,000 to train each guide dog but the organisation covers the cost vet bills, food, toys and other necessities.
– AAP
