Welcome
A message from the CEO
Welcome to the spring edition of Guide Dog Tales!
I hope you and your loved ones are coping as well as possible while we adjust to working from home, home-schooling, and lack of close contact with loved ones. Our thoughts are with our colleagues, Clients and supporters across NSW, the ACT and interstate.
I am buoyed by the commitment of everyone at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to ensure Clients remain supported and connected right now. Likewise, our much-loved pups and dogs are still receiving the nurturing, care and training they require to go on to change lives.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Guide Dog Tales and as always I thank you for your ongoing support, and for being part of the Guide Dogs family.
Warmly,
Dale Cleaver
Chief Executive Officer
Accessibility outcomes for NSW residents.
Over the years, our Access Team has achieved amazing outcomes that support accessible places, services and communities for people with low vision or blindness.
We offer a range of advice and services to improve access to the built environment and the services within it. We welcome feedback via access@guidedogs.com.au from Clients and the community.
Here are some of the highlights from the team over the last 12 months:
Highlights
Over 11,000 people took part nationally, raising close to $1.7 million for Guide Dogs Australia!
The amount of money raised nationally means that we will be able to breed, train and raise 34 Guide Dogs who will one day go on and change the lives of 34 people living with low vision or blindness across Australia – and it’s all thanks to the support of our amazing community.
On behalf of everyone at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we sincerely thank everyone who committed to walking or running at least 30 minutes a day for the entire month of August.
A special congratulations goes to Suzanne Brodie for raising the most of any PAWGUST participant across NSW and the ACT.
Suzanne walked with Luna, her third Guide Dog and a sponsor dog from the Regular Giving Program (along with siblings Rocket and Star) and together the dynamic duo raised a whopping $7,057.62!
Emily hits the pavement to say “Thanks!”
“I was born with a rare genetic disorder associated with an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. I have no peripheral vision, only slight central vision, and night blindness. I use a white cane to help me navigate around safely and independently.
I’ve never been a runner and had no confidence for physical activity due to my vision impairment. But after several sessions with an exercise physiologist, I quickly took a liking to running, and realised my disability wasn’t a barrier. I’ve also learnt to enjoy the challenge of pushing myself physically and working towards new fitness goals.
So, in 2019 I decided to participate in the Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival 10km Bridge run, and in June this year, my friend and guide Claire and I participated in the 12km Bay to Bay Running Festival. It was an awesome experience and Claire really pushed me to my absolute limits – we didn’t stop or walk one bit of the course!
We finished in one hour and 35 minutes at a pace of 7.44 minutes per kilometre, and I was able to raise over $1,300 for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT with the support of my family, friends and community. This was my way of saying ‘thank you’ for all the help and support they have given me over the years. I can’t wait for my next run.”
From all of us here at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, thank you, Emily!
Practitioner update
Clients’ rewarding results during lockdown
Orientation and Mobility Specialist Cassandra is one of our many practitioners adapting to new technology to help Clients achieve their goals while face-to-face service delivery is limited.
“When the lockdown announcement came, my immediate thought was ‘no worries, we’ve done this before.’ I called my Clients and we transitioned together from face-to- face appointments to telepractice. They were grateful I would still be providing support and were happy to find a way that worked for both of us.
I now have video calls twice a week with one of my Clients. After our first session, she said “It’s great…it’s just the same as if you were here.”
Another Client finds the regular telepractice sessions to be very valuable. Instead of seeing her face-to-face once a month, I now catch up with her weekly via FaceTime, and keep a closer eye on her progress. She also appreciates the increased social connection this technology has opened up to her.
I have a new Client who is very tech-savvy but wasn’t aware of ‘Google Duo’ and how it can be used to connect people across different platforms. After a quick introductory session, she was ready to go. Now each week before our phone sessions, she delights in sending me video messages via Google Duo demonstrating her improved long cane techniques, with guest appearances by her pet dog. She also now has a new way to keep connected with friends and family!
Of course there are challenges that come with lockdown. But in this time where Clients’ ‘life space’ is limited largely to their household, it has been particularly rewarding to see how grateful they are for connection and the time I spend with them.”
Client spotlight
A walk from the heart: David’s 100km coastal challenge
David was born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that has decreased his sight over the last three decades, causing him to give up his thriving business, and his 23-year volunteering career as the captain of rural services. A Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Client for over two years, David undertook an epic 100km walk from Vincentia to Kiama to raise funds and show his appreciation.
“When my beautiful wife lost her battle with cancer last year, she left me a letter. She wanted me to keep learning things like my white cane skills so I could be independent. This walk was something I wanted to do to honour her. I used to rely on her for a lot of things. I never had to worry about anything because I had her support, but when it all happened, I had to change.
We enjoyed travelling, so the thought of being housebound would kill me. I had to push through my boundaries; learning, adapting and putting new systems in place. I refuse to surrender any task! You should never say ‘never’ because things are achievable.
When I first started training for the coastal walk – 103km over four days – I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew, but I know if you put your mind to it, you can do it. So, every day I’d do a minimum of four hours, averaging four kilometres per hour.”
David jokes as he recalls his intense training with Orientation and Mobility Specialist Paul:
“After that walk, there’s not much I don’t know about the cane! Paul would encourage me saying ‘you can do it, you can master this’ and because I’m stubborn, I was determined to give it my best shot.
Paul checked out the locations, picking out the problem spots and training me accordingly. Paul recommended I should do most of my walk on the beach as the original plan was going to be too dangerous. We even trained in the rain! And despite some minor accidents during this time, I kept going because I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.
I want to give special thanks to my friend Shane – my companion during the walk – and to my two support workers Patty and Donna who walked with me on training days and drove me between locations.
If anyone thinks things are unachievable, I say give it a go, because you never know!”
Training Tips
Mental stimulation for pets during lockdown
Lockdown presents challenges not only for us but also for our beloved pets. Here are some tips from our Puppy Development Advisor Brett on how to keep your pets happy and healthy during this time.
Play training games with your pets.
Training is a simple, fun way to challenge your pet. Start by discovering what motivates your pet, then offer that reward anytime your pet does something right. For example, rewarding a dog who comes up to you and sits will encourage the dog to sit every time it comes to you.
Go for discovery walks.
Allow your dog the opportunity to explore their environment; they love to use their sense of smell wherever they go!
You can make a difference every time you shop at IGA!
Through the Ritchies IGA Community Benefits Program, your local Ritchies will donate a percentage of your grocery bill to your charity of choice.
More information on the program can be found at ritchies.com.au/loyalty.
Together we can do so much!
PAW Patrol: The Movie
Guide Dogs is partnering with PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE!
You may have already heard a whisper – or indeed seen some of the posts on the Guide Dogs Australia social media channels – but we are just so excited to be partnering with Paramount Pictures for the release of Paramount’s new feature film – PAW Patrol: The Movie!
We all know that whenever there’s trouble, pups Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye are ready for action. Just like our incredible Guide Dogs, no job is too big, and no pup is too small.
How this partnership is supporting Guide Dogs.
As the mighty PAW Patrol pups take on their biggest challenge yet – taking to the big screen with full 3D animation – Guide Dogs set a challenge for all of our fabulous supPAWters, to coincide with our month long national fundraising campaign, PAWGUST.
On Friday 20 August, we asked our PAWGUST participants and friends to “Lend a Paw” and support our real life Guide Dog heroes Ollie, Wally and Solly, a dynamic trio who are helping to supPAWt Ambulance NSW.
Ollie: Based at the Ambulance Education Centre, Ollie provides support to students completing their paramedic studies. She’s a welcome comfort to students during complex classes, for example when they learn about how to assess a patient’s mental health. She’s learnt so much from the students that she hopes to one day become a paw-ramedic herself!
Wally: Based at NSW Ambulance’s Helicopter Base in Bankstown, Wally provides support to NSW Ambulance’s Aeromedical Team, including Critical Care Paramedics, Doctors and Flight Nurses. Wally even wears a specific harness designed to be able to secure him in a helicopter! Wally has also travelled around the state to our other helicopter bases in Orange, Wollongong and Canberra, and has even travelled up north to support Triple Zero Call Takers at the Northern Control Centre in Newcastle. Wally provides opportunities for conversations about wellbeing and helps build rapport with staff.
Solly: Based at NSW Ambulance’s Sydney Control Centre, Solly provides support to the wonderful team of Triple Zero Call Takers. Working in an incredibly stressful environment, Solly helps comfort Call Takers who often have to deal with emotional and sometimes aggressive Triple Zero calls.
Together, Ollie, Wally and Solly raised over $700.
What an amazing effort and thank you to everyone for lending a paw!
Head Office Update
Our head office is relocating from Chatswood to St Leonards on Sydney’s North Shore!
That’s right – planning is well underway, and we’re aiming to move into our new premises by the end of 2021! This will be a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive space; a state-of-the-art facility featuring best practice in accessible design as well as our new Urban Training Precinct.
Training our pups takes boundless energy, care and experience – and a lot of space! Transforming a playful puppy into a highly-skilled Guide Dog also requires specialised training in a range of different environments.
In our new Urban Training Precinct, pups in training will learn vital skills such as navigating stairs, lifts, automatic doors, and ramps. Outside, they’ll learn to cross busy roads, board public transport and move through large crowds.
The precinct also features:
- Dog / collaboration lounge: a welcoming space where Puppy Raisers can meet with Puppy Development Advisers and other volunteers, while puppies and dogs socialise, play and engage in enrichment activities.
- Dog dens: equipped with cameras, this space will be used for both respite and training purposes, allowing trainers to observe and monitor the dogs from a distance.
- Dog nooks: dogs will be welcome in all areas of the premises including a number of rest nooks and refreshment stations.
Our new HQ presents many exciting opportunities to support Guide Dogs, and we would love our dedicated supporters to join us on this journey.
For a confidential discussion about Urban Training Precinct funding options and a private tour of the site, please contact: Kylie Hannon, Philanthropy Manager 0413 452 280 or khannon@guidedogs.com.au.
St Leonards head office
Gift Ideas
PAWfect Presents are back!
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$19.95 each
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Pack of 10 $12.95 each
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Large Print Calendar - A3 $19.95 each
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Pack of 2 $19.95 each
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Picnic Pup Throw Rug $32.95 each
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$12.95 each
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$12.95 each
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$14.95 each
Ordering is easy!
Your PAWfect present purchase – whether merchandise or virtual gift – helps support the life-changing work of Guide Dogs.
When you buy a virtual gift for a loved one, you can choose to receive a beautiful Christmas card for them, explaining how their gift is helping Guide Dogs help people with low vision or blindness. This tax-deductible gift will help fund our puppy development program.
Place your order by Friday 26 November so that you can receive your items in time for Christmas.
Our office will be shut from close of business Thursday 23 December and will reopen Monday 10 January. Any orders received during the shutdown period will be fulfilled after 10 January.
Partner Update
Top tips for dog enrichment
While a healthy diet and exercise are an important part of caring for your dog, dogs also need mental stimulation to support their wellbeing and development.
Guide Dogs Puppy Development expert, Naomi, recommends using KONG toys as they are a durable and versatile tool that satisfies a dog’s instinctual need to chew while also offering mental enrichment.
Naomi’s top three KONG tips:
- Stuff a Classic KONG toy with softened kibble as a fun puzzle for your dog. If you’d like to make the fun last longer, you can put the stuffed KONG in the freezer. This makes a great icy treat for warm summer days!
- KONGs are more than just toys; they can also be used to support training. Give your puppy a KONG when leaving them alone for short periods, introducing car travel or crate training. This will help teach them that these are normal and positive activities. You can even give your puppy a KONG during Zoom meetings to encourage calm and quiet behaviour.
- You can also use your KONG as a food bowl alternative for dogs who eat their food too quickly. Just remember to subtract any food placed into a KONG from your dog’s daily food allocation to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.
Because they're more than just a pet, they're family.
Help give your dog or cat the best care possible without worrying about the cost and you’ll also be supporting Guide Dogs Australia.
For more information, call 1300 421 056
or visit guidedogsinsurance.org.au/NSW
* 1 month free is applied as a discounted premium over the first year of cover. All quotes provided include this discount.
Insurance issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd and promoted and distributed by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd and by its Authorised Representative Royal Guide Dogs Australia. Terms, conditions, waiting periods and exclusions apply. Consider the relevant PDS before deciding if the product is right for you. PDS and TMD available at guidedogsinsurance.org.au.
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