GUIDING TOP DOGS

Guide-dog instructor Kim Ryan says she’s like a “nervous mother” when her trainee dogs are paired with vision-impaired clients for the first time.

“There’s a definite bond between the handler and the dogs,” says Ryan, who is shown with trainees Harvey and Murphy in the puppy room at Guide Dogs Tasmania’s Hobart office.

“I have known these dogs since they were eight weeks old. When you let them off on their own, on their first walk with a client, you’re holding your breath and wondering, ‘is the dog going to do the right thing, will the client be safe?’.

“But you feel such pride when you see the client and dog out there doing it. That’s why you do it, you’re changing a person’s life.”

Ryan, who co-ordinates guide-dog services in Tasmania, trains dogs intensively over six months and supervises the volunteer puppy raisers.

When the trainee dogs aren’t on their training walks or learning commands, they’re resting in the puppy room, which overlooks Elizabeth St.

“The room is for the socialisation of pups that aren’t fully vaccinated,” Ryan says. “The play equipment has different surfaces, enclosed spaces, and things to climb up. We are getting the puppies comfortable in different environments.”

She says passers-by often get to enjoy the spectacle of puppies playing. “We love to see the smiles on people’s faces when they see the dogs. Their faces just light up.” Guide Dogs Tasmania is hosting information sessions on how to become a puppy raiser on July 9 in Launceston, and July 26 in Hobart. For more information visit