Vision Australia will recognise eight handlers and Seeing Eye Dogs who have been successfully paired this year at its annual graduation on Wednesday, October 12.
Held in the lead-up to World Sight Day, the Queensland Parliament event celebrates the life-changing bond of assistance animals and people who are blind or low vision.
“Training can take up to two years and $50,000, but it’s worthwhile when you see the impact it has,” said Seeing Eye Dogs client services manager Lester Chraim.
“It’s amazing how Seeing Eye Dogs can help handlers reclaim their independence and be so much more active and confident in the community,” Mr Chraim said.
Graduating handlers will be presented with certificates from the Honourable Minister for Seniors, Disability Services, and ATSI Partnerships, Craig Crawford MP.
“Dogs are wonderful companions for many people, but the complex partnership between a Seeing Eye Dog and their handler is life-changing,” Mr Crawford said.
“These highly-trained working dogs help some of the more-than 1700 people in Queensland who are blind or low vision to live independently in the community.
“I commend the work of Vision Australia and the Seeing Eye Dogs for their wonderful ongoing support for people with disability in Queensland.”
