Breeding to retirement, all in a day’s work

We take a behind the scenes look at the Seeing Eye Dogs Dog Development department on day one of our inaugural Veterinary Symposium.

The team members in the Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs Dog Development department wear lots of different hats, and are involved in the development of our world-class dogs from the earliest stages of the breeding process through to finding suitable living arrangements as the dogs enter retirement.

We celebrate them today as we kick-off our inaugural Veterinary Symposium at our headquarters in Kensington, Melbourne which is being attended by over 70 people from 12 countries.

Led by Dr Nicola Cotton, Dog Development Manager BVSc who came to Seeing Eye Dogs almost five years ago, after working as a Veterinarian at RSPCA Victoria and the Animal Emergency Centre, the department is responsible for the Breeding Program, Puppy Centre, Kennel facilities, Adoptions Team, the Foster Care program and all Veterinary Services.

The Breeding Program is headed up by Nadine Harber, dually qualified in genetics and dog guide mobility. We were fortunate enough for Nadine to move to Australia to join Seeing Eye Dogs after working as an Instructor in South Africa for almost six years. She brings a massive wealth of knowledge to our breeding program.

Over the past 2 years under Nadine’s guidance, the breeding program has achieved a 100% conception rate, a 47% increase in litter size and the implementation of formal Temperament Testing for pups and adult dogs.

Dr Sue Mae Chua BVSc came to Seeing Eye Dogs after many years working in a large scale animal shelter and clinic, bringing with her expert knowledge of kennel medicine and an appreciation for the efficiency of scale. With Dr Chua’s input, our veterinary services have gone from strength to strength, expanding the scope of treatments and procedures that can be provided on-site. With a number of exciting initiatives under development, Seeing Eye Dogs plan to further expand their veterinary facilities and services over the coming 12-24 months.

Our Kennels Team Leader and Veterinary Nurse, Kat Kakafikas, provides support to the kennels team comprising over 20 staff as well as assisting the SED Vets in their surgical caseloads and overseeing the Adoption Program and Foster Care teams.

For those dogs still on their way towards becoming a Seeing Eye Dog, the Foster Care team works tirelessly to place them in foster homes when their regular puppy carer or handler is unavailable, this is so their essential socialisation and obedience can continue.

Kat also ensures that any released dog is matched to an ideal home, in some cases filling informal roles as companion or assistance dogs for families with special needs.

Notable recent achievements within the Dog Development Department over the past few months include;

• The build and relocation of veterinary facilities to a purpose built on-site veterinary clinic. The new facilities incorporate our state of the art operating theatre, on-site radiology, and custom designed recovery centre.
• Simultaneous to the opening of the new veterinary clinic, a new Quarantine kennel block was installed on site at Seeing Eye Dogs, enabling the veterinary team to increase the volume and quality of veterinary services provided to dogs in the program.
• Creation of Kennels Stress Reduction Working Group, headed up by Kennel Attendant Michelle Tam, joined by Kennel Attendants Sarah McCall and Jacqui Birchall, as well as members from the Puppy Development and Instructor teams. This cross-departmental collaboration has introduced a number of exciting initiatives aimed at minimising kennel stress, based on research, experimental, anecdotal and peer reviewed data.
• The inaugural Seeing Eye Dogs Veterinary Symposium – this was the brain child of Chief Instructor Patrick Glines who, after moving to Australia after 20 years of work with Guide Dogs for the Blind in Oregon, had the vision of networking colleagues from leading schools around the world. With the IGDF Seminar heading to Australia this year, the idea of a veterinary gathering in conjunction with the IGDF Seminar was born. With delegates from over 11 different countries worldwide we are sure this world first event will certainly not be the last of its kind https://sed.visionaustralia.org/Vet-Symposium