A mother of two and a nurse at the time, Geraldine’s life took an unexpected turn when, in her early 30s, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). These conditions caused increased pressure on her optic nerves (optic neuropathy), leading to her becoming legally blind.
Faced with life-altering challenges, Geraldine was determined to regain her mobility and independence. Over the years, she has been supported by several dog guides, and was matched with her first Seeing Eye Dog, Iris, in 2008. Eleven years later, she welcomed her current Seeing Eye Dog, Noodle, who continues to help her navigate daily life with confidence.
Now, at age 70, Geraldine has channelled her success in impressive ways, having completed nine university degrees, including four Master’s degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Her PhD thesis, There’s More to a Dog Guide than Meets the Eye, was the first major research of its kind in Australia, examining the health benefits of working with a dog guide.
Geraldine has contributed to several impactful initiatives, including serving as an inaugural educator for the Cisco Academy for the Vision Impaired. She was also a finalist in the 2023 Blind Australian of the Year Awards held in Queensland. For the past 18 years, Geraldine has worked as a lecturer in the School of Education at Curtin University.
For Geraldine, education has been a steady anchor in a life marked by constant change. It became a field she could truly call her own - and one she was proud to share with both Iris and Noodle along the way. “Iris and Noodle have been instrumental in my teaching and studying,” she says. Geraldine mainly teaches online now, but when she is on campus, Noodle makes the experience far more enjoyable and manageable. “When I teach an on-campus class, Noodle just lies down, settles on her bed, and everyone in the classroom loves her. She makes the students feel more relaxed.”
Geraldine describes Noodle as a sweet, social butterfly who loves both people and other dogs. Not only has Noodle increased Geraldine’s confidence while travelling, but she has also helped her build connections with the broader community. “Noodle is a real icebreaker between me and the public. I always have people coming up to me and engaging with us now,” Geraldine explains.
In late 2024, Geraldine was diagnosed with a lung condition that limits her ability to breathe comfortably. As her condition progressed, she began using a wheelchair for longer distances. Thanks to the Seeing Eye Dogs wheelchair program, Noodle was successfully re-trained to continue supporting her in this new stage of life. “The process was very quick and easy for us. Noodle adapted and picked it up within two weeks - and she now loves my chair,” Geraldine says.
As this new diagnosis brought about another period of transition, Geraldine reflected on the crucial role Seeing Eye Dogs have played in her life. “I can’t fault Seeing Eye Dogs. They’ve provided me with ongoing support. All the instructors and staff have been fantastic, and I’ve felt supported from the very beginning.”
Geraldine would like to express her heartfelt thanks to both Petbarn and the supporters of Seeing Eye Dogs Australia:
