Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs will use International Guide Dog Day 2025 (Wednesday, April 30) to mark its 65th anniversary and celebrate all past and present Seeing Eye Dogs and their handlers.
Seeing Eye Dogs, Australia’s only national trainer and provider of dog guides for people who are blind or have low vision, was initially founded as the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog School by Mrs Phyllis Gration AM in 1960.
Mrs Gration became blind when she was eight-years old and was determined that losing her vision would not prevent her from living the life she wanted. After becoming a handler herself, Mrs Gration’s first-hand experience with a dog guide inspired her to found what is now Seeing Eye Dogs.
Lester Chraim, Seeing Eye Dogs Client Services Manager, said the past 65 years has seen Seeing Eye Dogs grow into an industry leader, both in Australia and globally.
“Currently there are more than 250 Seeing Eye Dogs working with their handlers across Australia and we know that our organisation provides life changing support and advocacy for the blind and low vision community,” Lester said.
“As an accredited member of the International Guide Dog Federation, Seeing Eye Dogs also plays a key role in the advancement of our sector through collaboration with other dog guide schools. Our Australian-first wheelchair program and recently established Youth Program are two great examples of this.”
Seeing Eye Dogs’ growth and innovation is also evident in its veterinary and breeding program.
“Each year we breed around 200 puppies that enter the Seeing Eye Dogs program. This breeding program is highly specialised to ensure we breed dogs with the required behavioural and health traits Seeing Eye Dogs require” Dr Nicola Cotton, Seeing Eye Dogs Veterinary and Reproduction Manager, said.
“In recent years we have also developed our Animal Welfare Strategy and opened our state-of-the-art Dog Care Centre, meaning our workforce and dogs now enjoy an industry leading welfare facility,” Dr Cotton said.
Seeing Eye Dogs has enjoyed strong community support throughout its 65-year history, perhaps best illustrated by the dedication of its volunteer puppy and dog carers.
Seeing Eye Dogs' expert expert Puppy Development Team start the vital work of training future Seeing Eye Dogs just weeks after they’re born, which wouldn't be possible without volunteer carers who open their homes to our puppies and dogs. It takes serious logistical cnerations to place hundreds of puppies and dogs with carers across Australia, while also ensuring their welfare and training is looked after to the highest possible degree
"I believe Seeing Eye Dogs is really thriving in the dog guide industry," Jane Bradley, Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Development Manager said.
"We've been around around a long time and some of the reasons I believe we are continuing to thrive in Australia is there's still a huge client need for a quality working dog which is something we provide and something we're well known for," Jane said.