BARC – Sept/Oct 2024
September and October have absolutely flown by! With the official opening of our brand-new fully accessible, sensory Campus and new graduating Guide Dog classes it was all systems go at GDV, so today we bring you two newsletters combined into one. As Christmas Temp Care requests build, we anticipate the end of the year to continue to progress quickly.
Thanks to those who have their Christmas boarding request in place, we will begin reaching out to the Temporary Carer network and locking in these requests over the coming weeks. A reminder that at these peak times, we do ask for minimum six weeks’ notice where possible.
If you are a Temporary Carer and wish to express your interest for specific dates you are free, you can either update your Temp Care availability from the last email we sent or send us an email to tempcare@guidedogsvictoria.com.au identifying dates you’d be free to assist.
Current News
With the warmer months and spring finally upon us, we’re all looking forward to getting out and about more – especially now that daylight savings and longer days have returned for us to enjoy.
Unfortunately, this also means that we need to stay alert for:
- snakes
- stings
- seeds
- sun and sun protection.
For full details on what to look out for and tips on managing snakes and bites, stings, grass seeds, and sun and sun protection, read the article on our website.
Expert Tips
We would like to take this opportunity to update our carers of GDV dogs that we have noted a recent increase in ingestions across our colony and provide some further support and guidance to help reduce these occurrences and ensure the safety of all our dogs.
Please ensure you read this article in full about accidental ingestions, obstructions, and how to avoid them. Together, we can keep our pups safe, happy and healthy as they progress through their training and work towards their future careers.
Integra PTSD Dogs
Guide Dogs Victoria has been proudly partnered with Integra for many years now, a non-profit founded to support veterans and first responders facing PTSD and related mental health challenges from their service.
We currently provide temperamentally-suitable dogs to Integra that can excel in alternate carers, such as Therapy Dogs for these veterans and frontline workers.
Integra have recently contacted us to update on a name change. They will now be known as and referred to as Life Unleashed.
Life Unleashed has now transitioned to their new URL and website: https://lifeunleashed.org.au/
Their mission remains the same: empowering veterans and first responders with PTSD to live fuller, more independent lives with the help of Service Dogs.
Pet dog classification
Following the fantastic input we received from staff and volunteers in response to our recent call for name ideas, we’ve made an important change in how we refer to dogs that don’t qualify as a Guide Dog, Therapy Dog, or Ambassador Dog.
After thoughtful feedback from our Puppy Raisers, we’ve been reviewing the language used when a dog is no longer progressing on their career journey at GDV and is instead rehomed as a pet. It became clear that the term ‘reclassified’ felt a bit disheartening given the emotional journey our raisers experienced.
Moving forward, we will no longer use the term ‘reclassification’ or ‘reclassified’ – instead, we will use the term ‘classification’ when referring to a dog’s career, as they are not given their role until they complete the formal qualification process.
And, to better honour the dogs that go on to become pets and the role they play as cherished companions, we’re excited to announce they will now be known as LAP Dogs – Loved as Pets. This new term helps shift the focus to the positive next chapter in their lives as treasured pets whilst acknowledging the valued journey of Puppy Raisers’ and their experience.
Thank you again for your support and valuable contributions! Special mention to Natani and her family for putting forward the suggestion of LAP Dogs – Loved as Pets.
LAP Dog recent placement
We recently heard from the new owners of Merv, and we thought it was too sweet not to share. He has taken to the LAP Dog life very well and blends with the lounge colour scheme perfectly.
“Merv has settled in brilliantly and is bringing so much joy to our family.
He is loved and spoilt and has made an impression on the extended family, the neighbours and the hockey club who all think he is just excellent!
Thank you again for inviting us to meet Merv and welcome him into our family!”
Image Description: A yellow Labrador, Merv sleeping on his back
Image Description: A yellow Labrador, Merv playing tug-o-war with a black and brown Kelpie.
PAWGUST update
Our annual PAWGUST fundraising challenge has now ended, and we’re thrilled to share with you the results of the Puppy Raiser and Friends group’s successful fundraising efforts for another year!
With 14 team members, they raised a whopping $28,431.81 as of the end of September.
We take our hats off to these dedicated Guide Dog supporters. Well done and thank you!
Inside Cute HQ
Dot x Gnocchi S litter: Sarah, Steele, Ramona (sponsored) – all yellow pups, plus a solo black male.
Inka x Rudy T litter: Venus (sponsored), Ailsa (sponsored), Tulip and Tofu – all yellow pups, plus Twix and Tucker – both black pups.
Yanda x Irving W litter: 4 pups yet to be named.
Samira x Schimma Y litter: 7 pups yet to be named.
Image Description: A yellow Labrador puppy, Steele sat and looking up at the camera.
Enrichment Groups and Temporary Care training
Enrichment groups are run in your regions weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
All new and experienced Puppy Raisers and Temporary Carers should speak to their Puppy Development Advisor to confirm if the pup in their care is ready to attend an enrichment group. Suitability is guided by your PDA as to each individual pup’s development. Pups must be at least five months or older to attend.
Read the full requirements for attending enrichment groups near you in our PAWtal here.
Simply use the password pawtal-24 to access the PAWtal.
View the list of days and group contact for your region in our PAWtal here.
Simply use the password pawtal-24 to access the PAWtal.
Other items on the PAWtal:
- Puppy Raising Manual
- Volunteer Handbook
- VetChat contacts
- BARC FB community link and how to join
- past newsletters
- temporary care request forms
- training videos.
