Carol Homewood nominated for Pride of Australia Medal for her work with the Royal Society for the Blind

CAROL Homewood tears up whenever a Royal Society for the Blind puppy she has spent months training leaves her home.

CAROL Homewood tears up whenever a Royal Society for the Blind puppy she has spent months training leaves her home.

“You know he’s going on to do bigger and better things, but it is still heartbreaking when they leave you,” the 41-year-old Glenelg woman says.

“But you just get another dog to fill that gap.”

Mrs Homewood has been nominated for a News Corp SA Pride of Australia Medal in the Community Spirit category for her commitment to the Royal Society for the Blind.

She has opened up her home to 20 trainee seeing eye dogs since 2007, teaching them basic obedience and how to behave in public.

Xion is the latest of her students. The four-month-old golden retriever will spend 18 months with the city-based SA Police employee.

“It’s a great way to have a dog and you are also helping someone as well,” she says.

Last year, Mrs Homewood raised $80,000 for the Royal Society for the Blind by walking the Kokoda Track.

The Pride of Australia Medal recognises unsung heroes who give so much to their communities. Winners will be honoured at a state medal ceremony in October.