The Petbarn Foundation is encouraging locals to help make an “invaluable difference” by donating to the 10th annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal.
Since getting her Seeing Eye Dog Lassie 10 months ago, Wentworth Point resident Summer Giddings’ life has completely changed.
“She has given me so much more confidence to do things on my own,” she said.
“Especially in busier environments such as shopping centres and the university campus, and travelling on public transport.
“I have always been pretty reliant on family to guide me and going out with friends used to be hard since I don’t think they really understand how to guide me. Having Lassie makes a huge difference.”
A 20-year-old student at Macquarie University, Giddings was born with optic nerve hypoplasia and cerebral palsy, which severely restricts her vision.
Although she still leads an active lifestyle and enjoys sports such as Parathletics and blind tennis, navigating unfamiliar environments and busy places was always a challenge for Giddings.
It wasn’t until she met girl with a similar condition, who had her own dog at a blind sports camp, that Giddings’ journey to get her first Seeing Eye Dog begun and she was matched with Lassie.
“Lassie has given me a huge gift of independence. I now have more confidence to get out and about on my own and with my friends,” she said.
“I am grateful to benefit from such a healthy and highly trained Seeing Eye Dog.”
Vision Australia said it costs over $50,000 and takes up to two years to train a Seeing Eye Dog, with training beginning from eight weeks of age.
Puppies begin to learn basic socialisation skills from volunteer carers supported by puppy development trainers then, at approximately 12 months of age, they progress for up to five months of expert training with a specialised instructor.
Petbarn is now aiming to raise over $1 million to fund the training of 20 Seeing Eye Dogs.
Giddings is encouraging locals to ‘train-up a pup’ by donating at Petbarn stores or online to support the training and expertise needed to turn puppies in to Seeing Eye Dogs.
“I think it’s amazing what Petbarn are doing with this campaign. I’m always encouraging people to support Seeing Eye Dogs Australia,” she said.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton said the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal is the biggest annual fundraiser for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs.
“By donating, you’re not only helping us train and provide Seeing Eye Dogs to Aussies who need them, but you’re giving someone the gift of greater independence,” he said.
Donations to the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal can be made at any Petbarn store or online at http://www.petbarn.com.au/seda.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.