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Abbie’s story: navigating life with Zita.
Seventeen months into their partnership, Abbie and her Guide Dog, Zita, share a bond that is stronger than ever. “I knew pretty much straight away that she would be my Guide Dog,” Abbie recalls. “Within the first five minutes of meeting her, we had an instant bond moment and clicked really well from there.”
Before working with Zita, Abbie relied heavily on others to navigate her community, often feeling like a burden. Transitioning from using a long cane to partnering with a Guide Dog brought new challenges, especially when a physical injury interrupted their early training. With support from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Abbie gradually built confidence through Guide Dog Mobility Training, learning new travel routes and deepening her trust in Zita’s guidance.
Today, Abbie navigates complex environments like her local shopping centre with freedom. “Zita gives me more independence and the ability to access my environment. It’s liberating,” she says. “She also makes me feel less anxious when I’m coming home as it starts to get dark. I don’t have any night vision, so I feel safer walking with Zita.”
This newfound autonomy has positively impacted Abbie’s relationships with family and friends. No longer needing to rely on others in busy or enclosed spaces, she feels more socially connected. “We can go out to lunch and just be there as myself and Zita, part of the family,” she shares.
Abbie’s confidence has grown so much that she’s now advocating for safer infrastructure in her local area, including contacting her council about the lack of a footpath near her home. “I deserve to have a footpath that I can walk on without it being slippery and dangerous,” she says.
With Zita by her side, Abbie has not only gained greater independence but also become a passionate advocate for accessibility. “Choice is everything”.
