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What is Guide Dog Mobility training?
Partnering with a Guide Dog for confidence, companionship and greater independence.
Guide Dog Mobility training provides skills and techniques to establish trust in your specially matched Guide Dog, so that you can walk freely and feel confident regardless of your vision level.
Guide Dogs are trained to help you navigate your daily environment and beyond. Thanks to their unique skills, Guide Dogs can recognise obstacles, cross busy roads, move through large crowds with ease, board public transport and get you almost anywhere you need or want to go.
Every Guide Dog is carefully selected to match your personality and specific needs, and they’re always on hand to help you achieve your goals. Guide Dogs provide constant support and companionship throughout your partnership; the average partnership lasts from eight to ten years.
Throughout your partnership, our qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructors provide ongoing training to ensure you have the skills and confidence you need for years to come.
What type of skills can I learn?
Learn the skills to confidently move through your community.
- Get around your community safely with a Guide Dog; go to the shops, travel to work, attend restaurants, sports events or movies, and more
- Maximise your independence and confidence when moving through busy public places
- Increase your opportunities to get social and spend more time with others
- Travel to your favourite or most frequently visited destinations more efficiently
- Enjoy a greater sense of security, both at home and in the community
- Develop a genuine bond and enjoy true companionship.
How we find the right match for you
A carefully selected partner; a life-changing companion.
If you choose to partner with a Guide Dog, you’ll discover a true connection that offers so much more than improved mobility.
First, our team of specialist Guide Dog Mobility Instructors perform detailed assessments to identify whether a Guide Dog partnership is right for you.
Then, we learn a little more about your lifestyle, preferred walking speed, and how frequently you travel or enjoy social activities to find a Guide Dog that perfectly meets your needs. This relationship is the foundation for years of improved independence, safety and confidence.
There is no age limit or lifestyle requirement for participating in a Guide Dog partnership. We train school-aged and university students, parents with young families, and people who are full-time, part-time, or not in the workforce. We also train seniors and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Support and services information
Our Guide Dogs are supported by our fundraising.
If you are eligible, you can use NDIS funding to cover the costs of Guide Dog Mobility.
If you are experiencing difficulty in your daily life as a result of vision loss, you can apply for assistance. We consider every application we receive.
We offer practical information sessions for individuals and groups to help you gain a greater understanding of the role of a guide dog in your life.. The sessions are obligation free and are designed to help you determine whether a Guide Dog is the right aid.
Our Guide Dog Services are available all across regional and metropolitan Victoria.
Training programs are tailored to meet your needs. We can provide training programs in the home, work, in our specialised training centre, or a combination of settings best suited to you.
Request a service
Referrals
You can either suggest yourself for Guide Dog Mobility Services, or be referred by a GP or allied health professional. We welcome all enquiries from health professionals, family members and individuals.
For further information:
- Phone: 1800 804 805
- Email: referrals@guidedogsvictoria.com.au
Guide Dogs Victoria
Private Bag
13 Chandler Highway, Kew
Victoria 3101
Could you access this support via NDIS?
Navigate Funding
Have you checked your eligibility to access this support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? Many people include this support as part of their NDIS plan.
If you’re eligible for the NDIS, we can cut through the jargon, assist with your plan—or pre-planning—and get you on the path towards your personal goals. You can request free Support Coordination or find out more about your potential eligibility to access this service through the NDIS now.
If you’re older than 65, funded supports are accessed through the aged care system. You can register with My Aged Care by contacting their help line on 1800 200 422.
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