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Who was Willow?
Willow was one of Guide Dogs Victoria’s first Ambassador Dogs.
Born to parents Coop and Olivia, Willow was welcomed into the world in 2009 alongside her siblings, Viva and Velvet, at the Guide Dogs Victoria Nursery in Kew – also known as “Cute HQ”. The little white puppy quickly displayed the same sweet nature and intelligence of her parents, with the tiny Willow immediately becoming one of the favourites of the Nursery team.
Under the guidance of her volunteer Puppy Raiser, Willow was a swift and focused learner and, as she matured, her resolve to resist distraction became legendary. It therefore came as no surprise when Willow passed her formal Guide Dogs assessment with flying colours and moved into the final stages of official Guide Dog training back in Kew.
Five months into training, it became apparent that this near-perfect dog had a peculiar aversion to some of the rougher surfaces; an aversion that grew the further into training she went. Her Guide Dog Trainer tried everything he could to relieve the sensitivity in her paws – even applying a special wax to protect her feet – but to no avail. Faced with a gravel path or uneven surface, Willow was having none of it; hesitating and then deviating from the straight path she was trained to take.
There is a saying at Guide Dogs that there is no such thing as a failed Guide Dog, as every dog that Guide Dogs Victoria breeds and trains will go on to change a life in some way. The team at Guide Dogs was determined Willow would do the same so, for the bright and engaging Willow, some serious thought about her future career path was immediately required. An exceptionally talented dog, her skill and warm heart could not be wasted!
Timing is everything and, after just a few months in her new role, Guide Dogs Victoria Chief Executive Officer, Karen Hayes AM DSJ requested that an Ambassador Dog was recruited to support her in her official duties. With Willow still waiting in the wings, the Guide Dog Team knew exactly who would best fit the bill. After all, as the faces of Guide Dogs Victoria, our Ambassador Dogs need exactly the kind of gentle temperament, patience, focus and fortitude that Willow had displayed from even her earliest days.
It was love at first sight, and Willow quickly became a cherished member of the Hayes household, and an indispensable member of the Ambassador Dog team. Just like our splendid Guide Dogs, Willow was always the epitome of unwavering loyalty. Her commitment to her role as one of the faces of Guide Dogs Victoria led to her quickly becoming known as one of the most well-connected dogs in the country, with her presence at the most prestigious of events warming the hearts of even the most stoic and usually quite composed guests.
Over the decade she served as an Ambassador Dog, Willow amassed an impressive resume of events through which she met some of the greatest philanthropists from across the state and the country, media personalities, politicians, and Hollywood celebrities. She met Her Excellency, the Honourable Linda Dessau, Governor of Victoria and husband Mr Anthony Howard – and even royalty – but it was Willow’s calming presence at our children’s camps that touched the hearts of everyone around her, and that will always be the most touching memories for CEO Karen Hayes:
“Oftentimes during these camps, I would look across the room to see Willow snuggling up to the quietest child who needed extra reassurance or surrounded by kids lovingly hugging her and excitedly interacting with her as she stood patiently on. Those were the times I was most proud of Willow, of Guide Dogs Victoria, of our Clients, and of the difference we are all making every day.”
In late 2021, Willow was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia and sadly lost her short battle with the disease on the 27th of December, 2021.
"I have always considered it such an extraordinary privilege and honour to be heading up this remarkable organisation. I was even more blessed that for the better part of the last ten years, I was able to do this with Willow by my side."
The devastating cost of cancer.
Losing Willow emotionally devastating for the whole Guide Dogs Victoria family
Not only was losing Willow emotionally devastating for the whole Guide Dogs Victoria family; the cost of her treatment during her final months was also a stark reminder of just how much it takes to help our iconic dogs when they need us the most.
At Guide Dogs Victoria, we pride ourselves on providing world-class veterinary care to our entire colony of dogs. From our pups in training to our Breeding Stock and fully-qualified working Guide Dogs, our highly-skilled and dedicated dogs deserve the best possible care as they work to provide essential guidance, support and companionship for the people who need them the most.
With over almost 500 pups and dogs relying on us for their physical and emotional wellbeing at any given time, our annual veterinary expenses can add up to around $300,000 each year.
As a charity that receives less than 25 percent of our funding from the State and Federal Governments, Guide Dogs Victoria relies on the kindness and generosity of our community.
Now you can help us keep Willow’s memory alive.
Though she may not be here with us any longer, Willow’s tireless work as an Ambassador for Guide Dogs Victoria will continue; with The Friends of Willow Fund providing an opportunity for our supporters to help us help our iconic dogs when they need us the most.
By giving a gift to Guide Dogs Victoria in Willow’s name, you will ensure we keep our splendid dogs – Willow’s friends – happy, healthy and in the best shape possible to support Victorians living with low vision or blindness for generations to come.
Willow was a beloved member of both the Hayes family and the Guide Dogs Victoria family and is sorely missed by all who came to know and love her. We know her impact will live on in the hearts of all who met her, and thanks to your generosity, as will her legacy – in every life-changing Guide Dog, Companion Dog, Therapy Dog, Breeding Stock Dog and Ambassador Dog bred, raised and trained by Guide Dogs Victoria.
