For grateful Sara there is no shaking Pepper

THEY say it takes a village to raise a child and the same could well be said of training a guide dog.

Hobart's Sara Waitzer with her guide dog Pepper before the Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony at Guide Dogs Tasmania. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

THEY say it takes a village to raise a child and the same could well be said of training a guide dog.

Guide Dogs Tasmania held its first graduation ceremony yesterday for three of its newest recruits and to thank those involved in their many months of training.

Giving the gift of independence, graduate Pepper will help Sara Waitzer, 25, of Hobart, who has limited vision after the discovery of a tumour on her optic nerve.

The University of Tasmania clinical psychology masters student said since Pepper had come into her life in July she was by her side constantly, from lectures and exams to a trip to the pub.

“I have a really nasty habit of running into things and life becomes like a giant version of dodgem cars, so having Pepper stops that and really gives me the confidence to walk around quite freely,” Ms Waitzer said.

“She still steals socks and eats from the rubbish bin, but we won’t tell Guide Dogs that – all in all, she’s pretty amazing.”

Guide dog mobility instructor Kim Ryan said all trained dogs, including Pepper and her fellow graduates Yuri and Yoda, were matched to their blind or vision-impaired handlers to best suit their environment.

Originally published as For grateful Sara there is no shaking Pepper