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Nicole Tilltoson is kneeling next to her Yellow Labrador Seeing Eye Dog, Trixie, on a sunny day. Nicole is wearing sunglasses and a bright floral patterned blue and green dress, while smiling at the camera. Trixie is wearing a sparkly pink bow tie and is slightly angled away from the camera. They are surrounded by green foliage.
Nicole and her Seeing Eye Dog Trixie

“She has had a profound impact on my life. I feel more confident, and it takes a mental load off my mind, not having to worry as much. She breaks down social barriers and I found that people didn’t engage with me when I was using a cane, but with a Seeing Eye Dog, people get curious and interact with you.”

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Nicole was born with a rare, genetic condition called rod monochromatism that leaves her seeing the world in only shades of black, white and grey. She also struggles with both short and long-sighted vision, as well as nystagmus. From the moment she was diagnosed at just four months old, Nicole has been receiving support from Vision Australia. She reflects on fond memories of attending camps for adolescents who were also blind or have low vision, giving her a sense of community as she grew up navigating her rare condition.

A few years ago, Nicole joined Achilles Sydney, a fitness group that supports individuals who have disabilities to exercise confidently, whilst fostering a sense of community. It was here that Nicole was inspired by fellow members to apply for a Seeing Eye Dog. “I saw how amazing the Seeing Eye Dogs in the group were and knew I wanted to try,” she says. After making the decision to apply, Nicole was matched with Trixie a year and a half ago, who has since opened up her world.

“Seeing Eye Dogs is very person-centred, caring and supportive. When I made initial enquiries, someone called me and was happy to talk through everything. I applied because I missed my freedom. I wanted to go out at night, but I always felt quite vulnerable using a cane. Even though she’s not a guard dog, being bonded to Trixie means that I have a real sense of safety and protection,” Nicole explains.

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Nicole works as a chaplain on a hospital campus, offering emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. Not only is Trixie a favourite among the patients and staff, but her high emotional intelligence and ability to attune to people’s emotions makes her the perfect companion for those who are grappling with loss.

“It’s as if she has an extremely deep emotional intelligence. She can read a room so well. With my work, she deals with death frequently, and she just gets it. She feels it and always works out who in the room needs her the most. She’s very attuned people and their emotions,” Nicole says.

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Aside from her immense emotional depth, Trixie is described as a gentle and affectionate girl who loves to work. Thanks to Trixie, much of the mental exhaustion Nicole experienced while using a cane has been relieved: “There’s a mental load when using a cane which often left me exhausted. While the cane finds all the obstacles, a Seeing Eye Dog just avoids them, which makes for smoother and safer travel,” she says. Nicole is also photophobic, meaning she is extremely sensitive to light, and in addition to reducing the mental load, Trixie reduces both the visual and physical fatigue of her condition.

As a teenager, Nicole was involved in a serious car accident that left her with a shattered pelvis and a broken coccyx. Doctors told her she should never run again and for many years, that was Nicole’s reality. However, with the support of Trixie and the community of the Achilles Sydney fitness group, Nicole has rediscovered her passion, with her sense of freedom deeply connected to her ability to get outside and do what she loves.

Not only does Trixie join her on her runs, but she promotes fitness in Nicole’s everyday life, keeping her active and providing her with company to her Pilates classes. Having already completed three half marathons this year, and a fourth on the way, Nicole has no intention of slowing down her pace.  

Nicole has a message of gratitude for Petbarn and Seeing Eye Dogs supporters:

“Thank you so much for all the time and effort that you’ve put in to making this appeal successful. I hope that the community is encouraged by Seeing Eye Dogs like Trixie and can see that this support is possible thanks to their generosity. Seeing Eye Dogs are truly life changing and your support means the world.” 

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Help train up a pup this July

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