Welcome
A message from Karen and Willow
Welcome to the spring edition of Guide Dog Tales! I do hope that you and your families have been keeping well and safe in what has been a roller coaster few months.
On a personal level, I am immensely proud of the way everyone at Guide Dogs Victoria has rallied together during the pandemic to ensure first and foremost, that our Clients are supported and remain connected, and that our beautiful pups and dogs are still given the nurturing, care and training they require to go on to transform lives.
It is testament to the values and behaviours that underpin the Guide Dogs Victoria culture that our whole community – staff, donors, and volunteers – put our Clients and our pups front and centre of every decision we make.
While it has been an extremely challenging 18 months, there is much to be grateful for and many achievements to celebrate. To this end, I am pleased to share with you our incredible PAWGUST results, an update on the progress of our campus redevelopment, and some incredible Client and Supporter stories.
Our PAWFECT Presents Christmas catalogue is back again for 2021 and it is never too early to start thinking about Christmas stocking fillers!
I hope you enjoy this edition of Guide Dog Tales. As always I thank you so much for your ongoing support, and for being part of the Guide Dogs Victoria family.
Warmly,
Karen Hayes AM DSJ and Willow
Chief Executive Officer and Ambassador Dog
Over 11,000 people took part nationally, raising close to $1.7 million for Guide Dogs Australia!
Thank you to everyone who committed to either walking or running at least 30 minutes a day for the entire month of August – especially during a month that saw the majority of the east coast of Australia under lockdown. We are just so honoured and grateful that you chose to again dedicate a large portion of your permitted exercise time to PAWGUST!
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.
Your small change makes a big difference!
Our Donation Dogs are on standby at your local supermarket, ready for you to drop in some coins or tap your card.
Incredible support of Bronwen Moncrieff
We’d also like to acknowledge again the incredible support of Bronwen Moncrieff and her gorgeous reclassified Guide Dog Jordie, who raised close to $30,000 and was Victoria’s highest fundraiser. This was Bronwen and Jordie’s fourth year of taking part in PAWGUST, and her goal was to raise enough money so that collectively over the last four years her total amount raised would reach $50,000 – or enough to breed, train and raise one Guide Dog.
We are thrilled to say that Bronwen achieved this goal and has now raised in excess of $50,000! Congratulations and thank you Bronwen and Jordie, we are so grateful for your support and proud of what you have achieved.
Campus Update
Construction at Kew Campus
We are so very excited to watch the progress of our onsite Vet Clinic and Café, with the steel framing slowly making its way up since the end of July, bringing shape and form to the building and making it all seem even more real!
Unfortunately our progress was slowed somewhat due to restrictions on the number of workers allowed onsite every day, but we’re still doing what we can, so it’s definitely still coming together nicely and starting to really take shape!
Along with the steel workers, the carpenters have also been onsite, continuing with the internal timber wall framing and the plumbers have been under the slab running the minefield of plumbing needed for the Vet Clinic and Café.
In late July, our construction team went on a tour of our Vet Clinic partner Advanced Vetcare’s clinic in Kensington. It was great for everyone to see firsthand the intensity of Advanced Vetcare’s operations; we have no doubt that Advanced Vetcare Kew is going to be a state of the art facility that will stand out across the industry.
It’s so wonderful to watch all of this unfold, and we look forward to bringing you more updates as we head even closer to our new campus being completed.
Kew Campus
Client spotlight
Cody’s independence leading to mental and physical health
Meet Cody, one of our many Clients who has enjoyed the benefits of increased independence since encountering Guide Dogs. We recently caught up with Cody for some Q&A time.
When did you first come in contact with Guide Dogs?
I first contacted Guide Dogs following the complete loss of my vision due to the treatment of brain cancer for the second time. Prior to my sight loss in 2012, I experienced gradual vision loss over approximately 12 years. In 2011, I was diagnosed with multiple brain tumours. I lost my sight completely after my brain surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
I had initial rehabilitation attempts with other organisations, but they did not provide the level of training and support I was seeking, that’s when I reached out to Guide Dogs. From the first consultation with Guide Dogs, I was given detailed information on the type of support they could provide, and I received assistance and advice from experienced staff in developing a plan to increase my independence.
The initial plan focused on orientation and mobility around my home, as one of my goals was to be able to exercise nearby. This training has since expanded to walks using a cane in the area that I work, and utilising public transport services to travel to and from work independently.
What have been the most significant changes you have experienced?
Since commencing my training with Guide Dogs, I have become more independent and confident in my personal and work life, which has also benefited my mental and physical health. I also lost a significant amount of weight as a result of my ongoing exercise! These improvements make the challenge of living the rest of my life as a blind man much easier to manage, and enable me to focus on positive life experiences.
I attribute the success in my rehabilitation to the skill, knowledge and experience of my Orientation and Mobility trainer, Karen. Over the last two years, Karen has provided me with expert guidance and a training program tailored to my personal capabilities.
This program has increased my confidence and ability to further expand my skills; and whilst I have made significant progress towards independence since becoming completely blind, I look forward to being able to live my life without reliance on others.
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!
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 hero Rocky. Rocky is a working Guide Dog with our Client Stephanie. Since receiving Rocky, Steph’s life has completely changed and she knows that with Rocky by her side, she can do anything.
“Just like the PAW Patrol pups, Rocky makes a huge difference in my life, every day,” says Steph. “When I first lost my eyesight, I lost all my confidence and my independence. But with Rocky by my side, I have been able to do so much, like walk the catwalk in Melbourne Fashion Week, and I am working full time in an amazing consultant role helping other people with disabilities.”
This was Rocky’s first PAWGUST and together, he and Steph raised $1,100. What an amazing effort and thank you to everyone for lending a paw!
Supporter Spotlight
Twanny’s Story
“I was born with myopic eyesight which resulted in a detached retina in my right eye and macular degeneration and glaucoma in my left eye. As a result I am legally blind with light sensitivity.
My first contact with Guide Dogs was back in 1987 when I was working for the Retinitis Pigmentosa Society. In this role, I referred many clients to Guide Dogs, and always found their staff were willing to go out of their way to assist and support my clients.
Observing this wonderful work, I promised myself that if ever I was able support Guide Dogs in any way, I would. Fortunately, I had invested well over the years and upon retiring and selling my business, I found I had a bit of extra cash and was in a position to keep my promise to assist Guide Dogs.
I discussed my wishes with my investment team and they agreed I could start by leaving some funds in my Will to train future Guide Dogs. I wanted to honour special people in my life and originally made provision in my Will to name two dogs – one after my mother, Frances and the second
after my father, Vincent.
As my estate has grown over the years, I have updated my Will, including a provision to name another six dogs: Joe after my brother, Valli after my first amazing Guide Dog, Annabelle after my current Guide Dog, Jessica after my niece, Kirsten after my goddaughter and of course, Twanny!
As part of my Will I have also established a perpetual trust so Guide Dogs will have ongoing funds long after I am gone.
I often try to convince people to leave a gift in their Will to a charity that is close to their heart and they will say: “But Twanny, I’m not rich.” I explain that you don’t have to be rich to leave a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs. If everyone left a small donation, collectively they will make a big difference. As the saying goes: “From little things, big things grow.”
My two wonderful Guide Dogs have gifted me with the independent life I lead now. My first beautiful companion was Val and now I have her cousin, Annabelle, who guides me in my motorised wheelchair.
I know with my financial support, Guide Dogs will be training dogs to work better with those in wheelchairs like myself and the gift I am leaving in my Will, will help to breed, raise and train another eight dogs in total to support those who choose a Guide Dog as their primary mobility aid. I also know that Guide Dogs will continue to find different ways of supporting us folks who have low
vision or are blind.
I consider myself fortunate to have given something back to Guide Dogs, who have given me my independence, and I am honoured that my legacy will live on once I am gone.”
Thank you Twanny, for your ongoing support!
You too can give the gift of companionship and support for people with blindness or low vision through a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs. If you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your Will to Guide Dogs please contact Tracey Pratt, Key Relationships Manager, Gifts in Wills on 9372 4130 or 0448 032 850.
Gift Ideas
PAWfect Presents are back!
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Pack of 10 $12.95 each
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$19.95 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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$14.95 each
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$12.95 each
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$12.95 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 the 26th of 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 Tuesday 4 January. Any orders received during the shutdown period will be fulfilled after 4 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 840 498
or visit guidedogsinsurance.org.au/VIC
* 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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