Welcome to the winter edition of Guide Dog Tales.
A message from the CEO
Welcome to the winter edition of Guide Dog Tales!
At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, our mission is to empower people with low vision or blindness to actively participate in their communities. We accomplish this through a range of services, including Guide Dog partnerships, mobility training, rehabilitation services, and more.
In this newsletter, we bring you some heart-warming stories about individuals who have achieved their goals and overcome challenges with the help of our services and Therapy Dogs like Nessie and Murphy. We also share the story of Geoff, one of our generous bequestors whose legacy lives on through pup Chewie.
I also had the pleasure of meeting some of our volunteers who attended our National Volunteer Week events. We simply couldn’t deliver our vital services and support to people with low vision or blindness without our volunteers. Their passion, commitment and dedication is so appreciated. We are also incredibly grateful to the Central Coast Support Group. You can read all about their fundraising efforts in this edition.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey to let us know your preferences. We are working through the responses which will influence how we best communicate stories of our Clients and incredible dogs to you in the future.
As you read through the stories in this newsletter, I hope you are inspired by the achievements of our Clients and the positive impact you are having on their lives. Thank you again for your ongoing support.
Warmly,
Dale Cleaver
Chief Executive Officer
Cover star: Manton
Our latest cover star Manton was supported by one of our generous corporate partners. Manton graduated as a Therapy Dog and was placed with a female Client with mental health challenges. Therapy Dogs provide companionship and emotional support to people, families and facilities where they work.
You will hear about some of our other Therapy Dogs and their Clients in this edition of Guide Dog Tales.
International Guide Dog Day
Do you know your Guide Dog etiquette?
It was International Guide Dog Day on 26 April. This year, the theme was ‘Talk to the Handler’ where we encouraged the community to better understand the rights, and challenges of Guide Dog Handlers.
Research conducted over the last two years has shown that many Handlers have been put in danger because of the refusal of access.
Our top four tips for the community are:
Talk to the Handler – if in doubt always ask a person using a Guide Dog first if they need help and announce you’re there. Using your voice is always better than using your hands.
Don’t distract the dog – Guide Dogs are highly trained, but they are dogs at the end of the day so avoiding feeding or distracting them so they can focus on their skilled work.
Give them access – Guide Dogs in harness can go anywhere their Handler can go, it’s a legal right.
Give them space – physical space is very important, avoiding touching a Handler or a dog, or letting your own dog greet them, so the Handler and their dog can work safely together.
Client Spotlight
Everyday Life Skills with Low Vision
We’d like to introduce you to Emily, an ambitious and kind young woman who is also a Client of Guide Dogs.
Emily is studying to be a youth worker so that she can make a difference in the community around her. With her Guide Dog Kathryn and the support from Guide Dogs, she has been able to achieve anything she sets her mind to. Emily has an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa, which caused her eyesight to deteriorate as she progressed through high school. She started receiving support from Guide Dogs at eight years old, when introduced to a white cane. Emily found she didn’t enjoy a white cane as it did not suit her lifestyle and at 16 she was matched with Guide Dog Kathryn.
Kathryn has been Emily’s guide and companion through her transition from high school, throughout university, and moving out of home.
Despite Kathryn’s help, Emily has still faced some challenges with her daily tasks due to her limited vision. As her vision will one day be completely gone, Emily decided to get on the front foot and work with Guide Dogs Occupational Therapist (OT) Krystle. Together, they worked on identifying specific challenges that Emily had around her home and developed some strategies to overcome them.
The two of them have been working on Emily’s cooking and knife skills, building on the skills that she had learnt as a child. Krystle has been working with Emily to use tactile dots in her kitchen and introduced more assistive technology and apps for her to use when doing her grocery shopping. These small adjustments to her home will have a huge impact on her life now and in the future.
Your support of Guide Dogs helps ensure people like Emily receive the services they need and teach them skills they can utilise throughout their life.
I didn’t go anywhere I didn’t know before, but with Kathryn by my side now, I can go anywhere.
Community
Celebrating 40 years of support
A group of Central Coast volunteers recently celebrated 40 years of raising vital funds and awareness for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Known as the ‘Central Coast Support Group’, the local philanthropists have raised close to a million dollars over the years, making a significant contribution to Guide Dog’s Clients.
What started as an afternoon tea for interested local fundraisers in 1983, evolved into 40 years of raffles, fundraising stalls at Central Coast shopping centres, fashion parades, collections of donation dog funds, charity walks and more.
In addition to raising vital funds, the group has been actively involved in community education and awareness campaigns including International Guide Dog Day and White Cane Day. Members with low vision or blindness have shared their experience, helping to educate the Central Coast community about Guide Dog access rights, etiquette, and how best to assist a person using a white cane.
“We are immensely grateful to members of the Central Coast Support Group past and present for the amazing contribution they have made to Guide Dogs over the last 40 years. I have had the pleasure of attending several fundraising events hosted by the group and had a first-hand experience of their passion, selflessness, dedication and sheer hard work that should be applauded. The support of the Central Coast Support Group has been a key to us being able to continue our vital work. Thank you!”
Dale Cleaver – Chief Executive Officer of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Therapy Dogs
Therapy Dogs at work
Nessie is a Therapy Dog who loves nothing more than spending her days helping people. Nessie chose a different career path when she graduated from Guide Dogs. She now spends her days working with Speech Pathologist Eleanor, helping children. Today we take you through a day in the life of Nessie!
7:30 am – Nessie wakes up to the sound of Eleanor’s alarm clock. With a bit of a stretch and yawn she is ready to start the day with breakfast and a walk.
8:30 am – Nessie arrives at the speech pathologist office with Eleanor. She greets everyone with a wagging tail and gets lots of pats.
9:00 am – Nessie’s first appointment of the day is with a little boy. He is four years old and has a speech delay. He’s a bit shy, but he loves dogs. Nessie sits with him during his therapy session, and he practices his speech by talking to her. Nessie is patient and attentive, and he feels comfortable opening up to her.
11:00 am – Nessie takes a well-deserved break, with a walk around the block, a nap and a snack!
1:00 pm – Nessie’s next appointment is with a little girl. She has autism and has difficulty communicating with others. Nessie’s calm and gentle presence helps her feel safe and comfortable and gives her the confidence to practice speaking and making eye contact.
3:00 pm – The workday is over, it’s time for play!
7:00 pm – Nessie settles in for the night, eats her well deserved dinner, she falls asleep with a content sigh, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Therapy Dog
Ari and Murphy
At two-years-old, Ari has already faced significant challenges in his life, being born blind and losing his hearing due to bacterial meningitis. Despite the difficulties, his mother Jamie was determined to ensure that Ari never felt alone on his journey.
Ari was already receiving support from Katrina, an Early Childhood Orientation and Mobility Specialist at Guide Dogs. Knowing the power of companionship, Jamie put in an application with Guide Dogs to receive a Therapy Dog, and in January they were matched with Murphy!
Murphy and Ari formed an instant bond. From laying on the floor with Ari while his mum gets tasks done, to attending his many appointments, Murphy is there by his side, providing comfort and reassurance. Ari has started crawling and learning to explore the world through touch. Ari was overwhelmed by different textures and Murphy has helped desensitise him and will happily lay there while Ari gently explores with his hands.
Murphy has fit into the family perfectly; he provides a source of love and support for everyone. He intuitively understands the needs of each family member and shares his affection generously. He has become a sort of therapist for Ari’s mum, Jamie. He is a comforting presence and provides emotional support during the numerous appointments that she must attend for Ari; greets her with a toy when she returns home and gets her out of the house for a walk at the end of the day.
Jamie lovingly describes Murphy as a big, affectionate goofball who loves big hugs. She explains, “as a family, we go through many serious challenges, but at the end of the day, we love to joke around and have fun. Murphy just fits into our dynamic perfectly, switching between serious when needed and being an adorable goofball at other times!” Jamie continues, “We’re so grateful to his Volunteer Puppy Raisers who did such an incredible job.”
Murphy is everything we didn’t know we needed.
Therapy Dogs like Murphy and Nessie offer stability and comfort in every situation.
Your support ensures that we can continue to match these incredible dogs with people who need them, providing loyal companionship through the tough times.
Centre for Eye Health
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a disease that affects the eyes and can lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated. It is caused by damage to the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain and typically affects peripheral vision in its earlier stages.
While it is associated with increased pressure inside the eye, glaucoma also often occurs in eyes with ‘normal’ eye pressures.
There are two main types of glaucoma: open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type and develops gradually over time. It often has no symptoms in the early stages, so regular eye exams are important to detect it early. Angle-closure glaucoma, on the other hand, is less common but can develop suddenly with symptoms such as severe eye pain, headache, and blurry vision.
While anyone can develop open-angle glaucoma, certain factors increase the risk, including age, family history of glaucoma, high eye pressure, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Although there is no cure for glaucoma, in the vast majority of cases treatment can help slow its progression and prevent further vision loss. First-line treatment options involve lowering the eye pressure with eye drops or laser. There is also a range of effective surgical treatments available if the first-line treatments are not working as well as required.
It’s important to remember that glaucoma is a chronic disease that requires ongoing management. Regular eye exams and early detection are crucial in managing the disease and preserving your vision and quality of life. Even if your vision seems fine, it’s critical to keep up with routine eye checks as recommended to detect any changes in your eye health.
If you have any concerns about your eye health or are at risk for glaucoma, speak to your local optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Poem
My vision loss
I dream of removing my back pack,
throwing away my white cane, and holding
a hand instead of an arm.
I dream of walking freely, energetically,
and with a vigour that complements my mind.
I dream of swinging my arms, running,
jumping, and dancing.
To run up and down steps … then, to do it again!
Without the feeling of risks.
I dream of holding my head high, never
examining the terrain.
I dream of walking into a room and
seeing completeness.
I dream of my SPY holes disintegrating, so I may
see the panoramic picture come to life.
I dream of cinemascope screens, theatres,
and stages, before me, coming to life.
I dream of sliding my feet into my tappers and
tap dance until I drop.
I dream of flashing a neon light on my allocated
theatre seat … to avoid sitting on any man’s knee.
I dream of phrases eradicated. “It’s over there!”
“Look it’s staring at you!”
I dream of acceptance when my spy holes
close up and take in doses of inspiration
from Dorothy. My blind friend.
By June – Guide Dogs Client
Gift in Wills
If only we had known…
Did you know that over half of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s funding comes through gifts that our supporters have included in their Will? Almost half of those gifts come as a surprise to us, from supporters who have never told us during their lifetime!
Growing up on a sheep and wheat farm, Geoff Chew’s two great loves in life were animals and doing anything ‘hands on’ and practical. With a trail of dogs, ducks, a pony and farm machinery to take care of in his early years, Geoff moved from a media career into home building and renovations and made many friends along the way.
However, one friend stood out above the rest; his best friend and much-loved yellow Labrador, Molly. Travelling to work sites together, pondering life on the verandah, cruising along rivers, Geoff and Molly were inseparable.
It was the love, appreciation and deep connection he had formed with Molly, that triggered Geoff to include a gift in his Will to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. He could see that Molly’s calm and focused temperament, along with her natural friendliness, loyalty and intelligence were the key traits that would have made her a perfect Guide Dog (in another life!).
Geoff’s legacy has already gone a long way to helping people with blindness and low vision and to acknowledge his kindness and generosity, puppy Chewie was fondly named in his honour. Our only regret is not knowing of Geoff’s decision during his lifetime, as we would have loved to welcome him to our special Bequestor events, experiences and communications to see the impact such a wonderful gift can make.
Speaking of events, we are delighted to be including coach trips to the Guide Dogs Centre as part of our Bequestor Stewardship Program – a first-hand and ‘behind the scenes’ experience like no other!
If you have included a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs and are interested in joining us on an upcoming coach trip and tour of the Guide Dogs Centre, please call Ali Kershaw on 0400 148 038 or email akershaw@guidedogs.com.au.
Guide Dog Federation
The Dorothy Award is coming home to Guide Dogs Australia.
Recently representatives from Guide Dog Schools from all over the world came together to exchange and celebrate ideas at International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) Conference in Canada.
Guide Dogs Australia was lucky to win the Dorothy Award. The award is named after the renowned American dog breeder and philanthropist Dorothy Leib Harrison Wood Eustis, who founded The Seeing Eye, Inc, the world’s oldest existing Guide Dog school. The Dorothy Award recognises the IGDF Member organisation that has created the most memorable TV and/or social media advertisement/campaign.
The winning campaign, “Access All Areas,” was created in consultation with Guide Dog Handlers, our in-house Accessibility and Marketing Teams, our external digital agency partner, August, our PR agency Keep Left, Guide Dogs Ambassadors, 13Cabs, Uber, and the Department of Transport. The campaign aims to eliminate barriers for people with low vision or blindness and their Guide Dogs and encourage increased accessibility.
The idea for this campaign came about after a Client of Guide Dogs was denied access to a bus because of her Guide Dog.
Guide Dog Pet Insurance
Protecting your furry friend
Guide Dogs partner with many organisations to provide life changing services to people with low vision or blindness. One such valued partner is Greenstone Financial Services who provide the only pet insurance that helps support us, through Guide Dogs Pet Insurance.
When choosing Guide Dogs Pet Insurance, you are protecting your furry friend, and helping Guide Dogs continue our important work. And when you take out a policy, you can get one month free.1
Your pets are more than just animals, they’re part of the family. One way to protect them is with pet insurance, to help ease the cost of treatment and recovery for accidental injury and illness.
We all want to provide our pets with the best quality of life possible, but vet bills can be super pricey, often costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. That’s why pet insurance is an important consideration – it can give you peace of mind knowing that your furry friend can get the care they need to recover from unexpected incidents.
Guide Dogs Pet Insurance is an excellent option to consider for those looking to protect their cats, dogs, or even Registered Guide Dogs. Their insurance plans cover up to 85% of eligible vet bills2, so you can rest easy knowing your pet can have access to the best possible care.
Find out more about protecting your furry family members at www.guidedogsinsurance.org.au/nsw or call us on 1300 985 639.
1 One month free is applied as a discounted premium over the first year of cover. All quotes provided include this discount. Terms and conditions apply.
2 Pre-existing Conditions and certain illnesses are excluded. Maximum $20,000 per year. Terms, conditions, exclusions, benefit limits and sub-limits apply. Benefit Percentage varies based on the level of cover selected.
Guide Dogs Pet Insurance is issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, is distributed and promoted by Greenstone Financial Services Pty Ltd (GFS) ABN 53 128 692 884, AFSL 343079 and by its Authorised Representative (AR) Royal Guide Dogs Australia ABN 99 008 427 423 AR No 1259160 and is arranged and administered through PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing. PDS and Target Market Determination available at guidedogsinsurance.org.au.
Our Partners
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