Business aims to raise 500k for seeing eye dogs
A Toowoomba business has joined a campaign to help raise $500,000 to breed, train, and care for seeing eye dogs.
Toowoomba
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IT COSTS more than $50,000 and takes up to two years to train a seeing eye dog, which is why the Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs have partnered for the seventh year in a row to encourage Australians to raise much needed funds to assist people who are blind or have low vision.
Petbarn Toowoomba are accepting donations to the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal until August 2. The appeal aims to raise more than $500,000 to help cover the costs of breeding, training, and caring for at least 10 seeing eye dogs.
Over the past six years, through the support of Aussies across the country, The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal has raised $3.2 million, enabling 70 seeing eye dogs to be bred and trained.
Toowoomba Petbarn store manager Melita Carylon said seeing eye dogs do more than just allow Australians with vision loss to retain their independence and mobility.
“They provide companionship, alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to all-round better quality of life,” Ms Carylon said.
“Seeing eye dogs are just another example of how animals can enrich our lives.
“We encourage everyone to visit our Petbarn stores or donate online to help continue to provide these special assistance dogs to people in the community.”
Seeing eye dog training begins when the dog is still a puppy and involves teaching them basic socialisation skills and obedience.
On maturity, each dog receives up to six months of expert training with a specialised instructor.
Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs general manager Graeme Craig said the partnership with The Petbarn Foundation is integral to helping our seeing eye dog pups complete the extensive training they require.
“It takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience and funding to raise these special dogs that will one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision,” Mr Craig said.
“For the right person, the highly trained dogs help them to move quicker and navigate obstacles with much more reliability and safety.”
As part of this fundraising effort, on July 23, four Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs puppies will go head-to-head (and tail-to-tail) with the inaugural Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Games.
To launch the games, super premium pet food brand Royal Canin will be matching each donation made from noon on Game Day up to a total of $50,000, which means every dollar gifted will have double the impact for people who are blind or have low vision.
For more information on the Puppy Games visit thepuppygames.com.au.
Donations for The Petbarn Foundation’s appeal can be made by visiting the Toowoomba Petbarn store, or online at petbarn.com.au/seda.