Gifts in Wills | Seeing Eye Dogs

Build a legacy of companionship

Including a gift in your Will to Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs is a simple, meaningful way to ‘walk alongside’ future generations of Australians with vision loss.

Your generosity will create a pathway of possibilities for generations to come as you help people live independently and confidently, with a constant companion by their side.

Contact us to talk about your legacy
Contact us to talk about your legacy

Trevor’s Story

When Trevor lost his wife, Pat, after 61 beautiful years of marriage, he wanted to create a legacy in her name.

“When I could see what a Seeing Eye Dog could do to help give [someone] that independence, it swayed me in
that direction.”

“I wanted to make sure I’d already helped my own children get their start in life… and now, it’s important to leave some footprints.”

3 simple steps to take

Having a Will that’s up to date helps ensure you create a legacy that you choose.

If you don’t have a valid Will, you are deemed to pass ‘intestate’ and a court-appointed administrator can distribute your assets according to the laws of your state or territory.

But including a gift in your Will is simpler and easier than you might believe. Just follow these 3 simple steps...

An older man is demonstrating something to y a younger girl

1. Consider your loved ones first

Be sure to provide for your loved ones first and include them in the conversation, so they know your decisions and desires.

An older man and an older woman are sitting at a desk. They are about to sign a document,

2. Talk it over with your solicitor

It’s a good idea to visit your solicitor for advice and your own peace of mind as you finalise your plans.

3. Contact us if you have questions

We would love to speak with you and answer any questions you may have, to ensure you’re confident and comfortable.

Start with the information you need

Including a gift in your Will is a deeply personal process. So it’s important to feel well informed, confident and clear in your decisions. Start here to find the information you need to build your legacy and create a brighter future of Australians with vision loss.

Support to help you write your Will

If you’re thinking about creating or updating your Will, we offer a range of free and discounted services that may help. You can explore trusted online Will-writing platforms and other resources to support you through the process.

“She has had a profound impact on my life.”

“Trixie 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... with a Seeing Eye Dog, people get curious and interact with you.

“Seeing Eye Dogs are truly life-changing and your support means the world.”

Nicole and her Seeing Eye Dog, Trixie

The impact you can make

No matter how things change in the future, your generosity will help walk alongside people with vision loss, by including a gift in your Will to Seeing Eye Dogs.

  • Companionship – A trained Seeing Eye Dog is a precious friend who will walk by someone’s side every day.
  • Training – Help provide vet care and training for puppies so they can become more confident companions.
  • Independence – A Seeing Eye Dog helps build the mobility and skills people need to move safely throughout the world.
  • Inclusion – Help people with low vision or blindness to live full lives, supporting social activities with family and friends.

A woman and a girl are sitting on either side of a yellow Seeing Eye Dog;

Meet your Gifts in Wills team

Frequently Asked Questions

You will find answers to the most common questions about Gifts in Wills below. But we know that leaving a gift in your Will is a deeply personal decision. So, if you have questions, concerns or would like a chat about how your support can help Australians with low vision, please reach out to the Vision Australia Gifts in Wills team.

Creating a Will ensures you have control over how your estate is managed when you pass away.

If you don’t have a valid Will, you are deemed to pass ‘intestate’ and a court-appointed administrator can distribute your assets according to the laws of your state or territory.

A general gift in Will is a sum of money or percentage of your estate left to Vision Australia or Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs.

A residual gift in Will is what remains (or a percentage thereof) after all other gifts and expenses are paid.

A specific gift in Will is an item/s you leave to Vision Australia or Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, such as shares or property.

Yes, you can choose where your gift is to be directed; for example, to Seeing Eye Dogs. However, allocating your gift to ‘general purposes’ gives Vision Australia flexibility to meet the most pressing needs. You can find suggested wording here to help you with this.

We always encourage you to speak to your solicitor to help you arrange your Will. If you nominate Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs and reference the ABN 67 108 391 831, your gift will be received without any complications. For suggested wording, please refer to Suggested Wording for Wills.

Writing or updating a Will is not as expensive as you might think. Solicitor costs do vary, depending on how complex your wishes are, and you can ask for a quote before you commit. The cost to have your Will professionally written today saves in time, money, emotion and energy for those you leave behind.

If you’ve already written a Will, but would like to add a gift to Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, you can easily do so by adding a codicil. This is a short legal amendment to your existing Will. Your solicitor can help you with this.

Thank you for considering a gift in your Will

“A gift in your Will can create a legacy that is meaningful to you and extends your values to make an impact on people’s lives. Thank you for considering a gift to help Australians with sight loss gain access to better technology, stronger support, and more personalised care.”

David Williamson
Vision Australia CEO
 

A headshot of David Williamson, CEO of Vision Australia

Talk to us today

Do you have questions about how to include a gift in your Will? Our Gifts in Wills team would love to chat with you and make sure you’re comfortable and confident in your decisions. Say hello today!