Being someone’s eyes
At any one time, more than 2000 Australians are estimated to require support from a Seeing Eye Dog.
With this in mind, the Petbarn Foundation has launched its annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal in a bid to raise funds for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA).
Founded in 1960 by a blind Mrs P.M. Gration, SEDA provides specially bred and trained dogs to be guides for visually impaired and blind people.
Mrs Gration believed a guide dog could substantially improve the life of someone who was blind or visually impaired. She established an organisation that, years down the track, has provided Seeing Eye Dogs free of charge to countless individuals with limited or no sight.
Training the Seeing Eye Dogs is no easy feat. From just eight weeks old, puppies are enrolled in SEDA’S Puppy Care program until they are
‘‘ “It takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience and funding to raise these special dogs that will one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.”
DAVID SPEYER, SEDA GENERAL MANAGER
12–15 months old. As part of this program, the future Seeing Eye Dogs are taught basic obedience, house manners, socialisation in public spaces such as restaurants and cinemas and walking on a lead.
When this training period comes to an end, the dogs go through advanced training of about 26 weeks, enabling the dog to guide someone with low vision or blindness and to respond to visual and vocal commands.
These dogs are an investment and incredibly valuable to those who make use of them. As such, Seeing Eye Dogs are fed a precise and tailored premium diet throughout their training, to ensure their mental and physical health and well-being.
Not surprisingly, it costs more than $50,000 for a single Seeing Eye Dog to graduate. Considering the highly specialised, time-consuming and mentally intensive training they receive (not to mention the incalculable value these dogs hold for the people they will
ultimately assist), this is money well spent.
SEDA general manager David Speyer said it took a lot of expertise, time, love, patience and funding to raise these special dogs that would one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.
While government funding covers the training for a small number of these dogs, the vast majority of funding is made up by donations from the public.
This is where the Petbarn Foundation comes in with its annual appeal on behalf of SEDA.
The Petbarn Foundation was created in 2012 with the purpose of providing support for rescue organisations and pet-related charities.
The foundation has been working with and supporting SEDA for more than five years and has sponsored more than 40 Seeing Eye Dogs since the start of this partnership.
Over the five years of working with SEDA, the Petbarn Foundation has donated more than $2 million to SEDA.
Last year, through the Seeing Eye Dog Appeal, the Petbarn Foundation donated a massive $679,240 to SEDA.
The incredible compassion of the people who donated to the appeal across the country enabled 13 new Seeing Eye Dogs to be raised and trained.
National Petbarn Foundation manager Sam Morton is thankful to the support received from the community.
“Thanks to the generous donations of the pet community, the hard-working team at SEDA are able to continue their work helping Australians in need and pairing them with their new best friend,” Sam said.
When asked why the Petbarn Foundation decided to assist SEDA through fundraising efforts, Sam replied: “The Petbarn Foundation is committed to partnering and working closely with organisations that share a compassionate, professional and strong giving philosophy, which is how the Seeing Eye Dogs Australia relationship was born.
“There is a huge demand for trained Seeing Eye Dogs in Australia. They do more than just allow Australians who are blind or have low vision to retain their independence and mobility – they alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to an all-round better quality of life. That is why, at Petbarn, we are thrilled to be supporting Seeing Eye Dogs each year.”
With the help of the community, the Petbarn Foundation is on a mission to enrich the lives of pets and people who love and need them.
“We encourage Aussies across the nation to dig deep and help us reach our target,” Sam said.
This year, the foundation aims to raise $800,000 to help cover the costs of breeding, raising, training and matching these special dogs.
Premium pet food brand Royal Canin is kick-starting the 2018 appeal by donating $50,000 to the Petbarn Foundation. This donation, along with all other donations received through the appeal, will be paid directly to SEDA.
SEDA and the Petbarn Foundation hope to encourage Toowoomba locals to support the initiative and help raise the much-needed funds to give the gift of independence to people in need.
‘‘ SEDA not only trains pups for Aussies who are visually impaired but they seek to create a bond between the owners and their dogs that will last a lifetime and we are so happy to be a part of that.” SAM MORTON, NATIONAL PETBARN FOUNDATION MANAGER