Thank you!
Snapshot of our survey results.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in our recent Guide Dogs supporter survey. Over 2,000 of you shared your stories, motivations, and feedback, and we’re listening!
Here’s a snapshot of what you told us:
- You love dogs! But, you love what they make possible even more.
86 percent of you have had a dog, but it’s the independence, empowerment, and transformation they bring to the lives of people with low vision or blindness that truly matters to you.
- Gratitude, luck, and purpose are at the heart of why you give.
These were the most common words you shared with us, and it means the world to have such caring people as part of the Guide Dogs family.
- You want to hear more about the full impact of your support.
Many of you aren’t yet familiar with our broader services like Assistive Technology training and Low Vision Support, so we’re committing to sharing even more stories that show how your generosity changes lives through the provision of other services, not just Guide Dogs.
- You love seeing real stories of change.
From puppies in training to life-changing moments with Clients, it’s these powerful updates that bring you smiles, tears, and pride. We’ll keep them coming!
We love hearing why you support us!
My son’s previous Guide Dog Pearce saved my life when I had a heart attack. I was on the floor in the hallway and not able to move or call out. Pearce found me there and licked my face then raced to my son and made him come and find me.
A new partnership.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is the official charity partner for Return and Earn across NSW.
From now through to October 2025, you can donate your 10-cent container refunds to Guide Dogs when using any of the 650+ Return and Earn kiosks across the state. It’s an easy, everyday way to make a difference by supporting our essential services for people with low vision or blindness, while helping the environment too.
Just collect eligible containers marked with the 10-cent label, head to your local Return and Earn kiosk, and select “Guide Dogs NSW/ACT” as your donation of choice on the screen. You can also use the Return and Earn app to donate digitally.
Look out for our signage at your local kiosk and help spread the word to friends and family. Every container counts and with your help, those cents can turn into support for our incredible Guide Dogs in training.
For more information about the Container Deposit Scheme, you can head to the Return and Earn Website or contact Guide Dogs NSW/ACT at info@guidedogs.com.au.
Supporter spotlight.
A legacy of love: 42 Years of guiding light on the Central Coast.
For more than four decades, a dedicated group of volunteers on the Central Coast has been quietly transforming lives, one donation, one conversation, and one gesture at a time.
Since 1983, the Central Coast Support Group has poured their heart and soul into raising vital funds and awareness for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. What began as a simple afternoon tea among a few passionate locals has blossomed into a powerful movement that has raised nearly a million dollars to support people living with low vision or blindness to live the life they choose.
Behind every dollar raised is a deep sense of purpose: to ensure people living with low vision or blindness can lead full, independent lives.
Through awareness events like International Guide Dog Day and White Cane Day, members (many of whom live with low vision themselves) have shared stories that inspire and educate.
For every Guide Dog raised and trained, and for every individual who walks with more confidence and freedom, there is a trail of devoted volunteers who made it possible.
Guide Dogs Centre update.
The refurbished Guide Dogs Centre is now complete!
In June, staff and guests attended the opening of the newly refurbished community space at the Guide Dogs Centre in Glossodia. The event included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by Uncle Graham Davis King, representative from the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council, Guide Dog training demonstrations, a tour of the new accessible office, and puppy enrichment talks.
Our new vibrant space for our Clients, staff, volunteers, donors and dogs sets the gold standard for modern accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability. It also features a brand-new puppy enrichment area, offering a dedicated space for young pups to train, rest, and play.
The much-needed upgrades enhance our operations and strengthen our commitment to supporting people with low vision or blindness so they may live the life they choose. We are very grateful to our corporate partners, donors and supporters who enable us to continue providing best-in-class facilities for our dogs, and the incredible team who work with them and train them. We hope you’ll visit us at the Guide Dogs Centre for an upcoming event soon!
Event wrap up.
International Guide Dog Day 2025.
We never let a rainy day get us down, especially on International Guide Dog Day!
On Wednesday 30 April, we had a day of celebration, community and conversation to highlight International Guide Dog Day at Martin Place!
This year our theme was, “is inclusion on your menu?”, which showcased the collaboration between Guide Dogs and the City of Sydney to advocate for greater accessibility and inclusion in businesses.
Attendees had the opportunity to:
- Chat with Guide Dog Handlers and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT staff.
- Meet our friendly Ambassador Dogs.
- Snap a pic with Gulliver (our 4.3-metre-tall, fibreglass Guide Dog mascot).
- Learn about our, “is inclusion on your menu?” accessibility and inclusion campaign, and much more!
Congratulations to staff members and volunteers who made this a fantastic event by showcasing that inclusivity is necessary and beneficial for everyone in the community.
In the ACT, staff and Clients gathered to exchange stories amongst each other and engage with the Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services, Mrs Suzane Orr MLA to provide feedback on key issues in the community.
Leave your legacy.
Creating lifetimes of independence, together.
Writing your Will requires time and careful consideration, and is something we often put off doing until a significant life event triggers a reminder.
Here’s what your experience might look like, when that time comes:
1. Be inspired.
Be inspired by what is important to you and your life story. This may include other people who’ve made a life-changing gift to a charity.
2. Consult.
Consult your legal advisor to ensure that the choices and options you’ve selected best reflect your wishes.
3. Discuss.
Discuss your decision with your family and loved ones, particularly if you have chosen to leave a gift to a charity.
4. Inform.
If you do decide to include a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, please let us know so that we can thank you personally and invite you to a graduation event or a morning tea to witness first-hand the impact your gift will make.
For more information please contact Bill Ballis, Supporter Liaison on 02 9412 9478.
Tips for training your furry friend!
Inside the Learning Lab: Sharing our expertise with dog lovers.
At Guide Dogs, we believe every dog deserves the chance to thrive and every dog lover deserves access to expert training advice. That’s why we created The Learning Lab, a free eight-week email series sharing the specialised techniques we use to train our life-changing Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs.
From mastering the basics with positive reinforcement, to understanding enrichment and behaviour, the Learning Lab provides tips, videos, and downloadable tools to help dog owners create and nurture stronger bonds with their pets.
We’re proud to have our Ambassador, Dr Katrina Warren, involved in the program, lending her trusted voice and passion for pet wellbeing to help educate and inspire participants.
The Learning Lab has been a wonderful way to connect with a wider community of dog lovers and people eager to learn more about the expert care and training that goes into raising these incredible dogs.
Client spotlight.
Samira's journey with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
19-year-old Samira has glaucoma, an eye condition where the optic nerve that sends visual information from your eye to your brain is damaged. When she came to Australia with only the English she learned from watching YouTube, she wasn’t expecting to be met with the almost immediate support she received from Guide Dogs.
Samira left her home country of Afghanistan around four years ago to immigrate to Australia. She spent three years living in India before the United Nations brought her to Australia as a refugee.
After a week of living in Australia, Samira was put in touch with Guide Dogs and shortly after that, she received her first Orientation and Mobility (O&M) session with O&M Specialist, Ying Wah Wan. “Before that time, I had never held a cane,” said Samira.
Before her O&M training, Samira couldn’t leave the house, but with just a few months of training, she could go grocery shopping and attend her English classes at TAFE by herself. She now lives on her own and is becoming more independent with each session. “I can attend my English classes without any help. Using a cane doesn’t mean I’m giving up my dream of being able to see. It motivates me to work harder than before,” says Samira.
A life-changing companion.
The real-life Pip from Puppy Tales!
If you’re an avid reader of Guide Dog Tales, you might recognise the name Pip from our Puppy Tales segment. You may have helped Pip solve a crossword or coloured her in.
In exciting news, the real-life Pip has recently Graduated as a Therapy Dog! She was placed with a young Client who has ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), which impacts her emotional regulation, sleep and accessing her community.
Pip has only been with her new family for a few months, but is already making a positive difference to her Handler’s sleep habits and anxiety. She’s also helping her Handler, Chloe to express her emotions. The whole family loves to have Pip around.
“Pip is a steady, reliable friend and Chloe feels special because she is Pip’s person. We are so grateful for the care, effort and work that has been put into preparing Pip to be the amazing Therapy Dog she is.”
Our Partners
Thank you to our partners:
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Social change.
Making makeup accessible.
Six Clients met at the St Leonards office to take part in a makeup workshop hosted by Community Mobiliser, Aimee Huxley and facilitated by professional Makeup Artist, Sandra Glynn.
The aim was for people with low vision or blindness to learn a more accessible way to apply their makeup, as well as share an open discussion around the barriers caused by inaccessible product design and packaging.
The workshop was supported by two Occupational Therapists and a few members of the Social Change team. Our Occupational Therapists ran a demonstration on helpful ways to add Assistive Technology into your makeup routine, general tips and tricks for makeup application, and strategies for organising and storing makeup.
The workshop concluded with a feedback session, giving Clients a chance to share their experiences and opinions around accessible packaging and product design.
The workshop was extremely well received. We are very grateful to all the staff that contributed and appreciate the Client feedback.