Taking a break with trainee Guide Dog, Corey.

The Guide Dogs Centre at Glossodia is a world class training facility nestled amongst acres of carefully designed kennels, training tracks, recreation areas and native gardens.

It attracts many visitors however few have travelled further than our most recent guests who came all the way from Japan.

 

For the students from Kugenuma High School, based just outside of Tokyo, this excursion was all about education through Australian experiences. With a translator by their side, it was also going to be a trip of a lifetime.

 

A trip to the Guide Dogs Centre offered students the chance to gain a greater understanding of vision impairment, Guide Dog training and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some very special four-legged, furry friends.

 

Community Education Coordinator Danielle Hogan understood that an opportunity like this was not easily found in Japan and because of this, the students were captivated by their visit.

 

“These students were very interested in knowing more about the functional implications of vision impairment and then understanding how a Guide Dog could be of assistance to someone who is blind or vision impaired.”

 

Their visit to Sydney only lasted four days however in this time, the students also managed to relax and enjoy the essence of Australian life, cooking a barbeque and playing a game of football.