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Dale Pierce is pictured kneeling on the grass in a white t-shirt, black running shorts and a Vision Australia hat, smiling at the camera. Next to him is his Seeing Eye Dog Yana, a black Labrador, who has her head turned up looking towards him. Behind them is some green foliage.
Dale and his Seeing Eye Dog Yana

“The connection we’re forming is such a strong bond. It makes me feel safe when she leans against my leg, or when she’s with me after a bad day, or when she looks back towards me as if to say it’s okay, we’ve got this. It’s just incredible.” 

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One morning in May 2023, 47-year-old chef Dale Pierce woke up blind in one eye. Four months later, his other eye started to degrade. Dale had experienced a central retinal vein occlusion, a condition caused by reduced blood flow in the central retinal vein. To protect his remaining vision, Dale’s doctors urged him to improve his cardiovascular health. Faced with a choice, Dale went all in, and now, at 49 years old, fitness has become a huge part of Dale's life as he takes advantage of the 40% vision left in his right eye.

Dale was connected to Vision Australia directly after his diagnosis, and thanks to the guidance of his Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Sharon, he decided to explore the idea of getting a Seeing Eye Dog. Eight months after his vision loss, Dale applied and was approved into the program.

“I had the hesitancy that I still have some sight, so do I warrant having a Seeing Eye Dog? It was nice knowing that I am accepted into that program. And that was such a relief, knowing I had that next step if I wanted it.”  

Four months later, Dale met Yana for the first time. “From the get-go everyone kept saying Yana is the one for you. I assumed everyone at Seeing Eye Dogs knew what they were doing, and within five minutes of meeting her, I knew she was the perfect match,” Dale explains.  

Yana is full of life. A happy and curious girl who loves to work. She thrives off being in her role and always takes the time to check in on Dale. She’s helped Dale regain confidence and independence and has served as a companion during a time filled with change. While Dale continues to adapt to his new reality, one thing is for sure: Yana will be by his side through it all.  

Dale reflects on the moment Yana guided him home from Melbourne to Ballarat, after experiencing total blindness for the first time following a recent procedure.

“I had a chat to Yana, and I said you have to get me to the station and get me home. In a heartbeat she was on, but she slowed down because she understood I couldn't see. She could tell I wasn't walking normally, and she adapted instantly. Within metres, I thought, she’s figured me out. She got me through two train stations and into a taxi. For a first time of full vision loss and just trusting, she was amazing, and I became emotional about it. It was the first real time I really and completely just trusted her. It was so amazing to feel her working the way she was. It was a very special moment to realise that this is what it could be like in the future.”

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Since his diagnosis, Dale has lived life to the fullest. He’s run some of Australia's toughest tracks and completed 100km in a day for Vision Australia’s 100K Your Way challenge. While Yana enjoys joining him on some of his 5km walks, she also loves napping beside his treadmill while he trains.

“For people thinking about it, you just have to let yourself go and trust in your Seeing Eye Dog. Let them do their job. The more you let them, the better they get,” Dale says.

Dale has a message for Petbarn and Seeing Eye Dogs supporters:

“Seeing Eye Dogs give so much independence and freedom that any support you can give is vital. Funding can be limited, so if people can help support the organisation, it might mean someone like me can be matched quicker, because we really need them for our independence,” he says.

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Help train up a pup this July

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