Guide Dogs Welcomes Support from Bennelong MP and Tennis Great John Alexander
27 January, 2012
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT welcomed the opportunity this week to meet with Federal Member for Bennelong John Alexander to discuss how he can assist the organisation.
While Mr Alexander met guide dog puppy-in-training Sadie for the first time as part of the briefing, the former tennis champion is no stranger to vision loss and how Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can enhance the independence of those affected.
"Mr Alexander's office manager Jaci Armstrong is vision impaired and has a guide dog named Crystal, so he knows first hand how our organisation can support and benefit the lives of those with vision loss," said Alex Green, who represented Guide Dogs NSW/ACT at the meeting.
Caption: Jaci Armstrong with her guide dog Crystal, John Alexander, Member for Bennelong, and Alex Green from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT with Sadie the puppy.
"His involvement in convening the Parliamentary Friends of Eye Health is also very impressive, so we're grateful to have the support of someone of Mr Alexander's calibre both here in Sydney and in Federal Parliament."
One of the issues discussed at the briefing was Guide Dogs NSW/ACT's urgent need for more volunteer Puppy Raisers, especially from the Bennelong electorate.
"With the incidence of vision loss increasing, we've embarked on our own breeding program this year aimed at producing more guide dogs," said Mr Green.
"This means there will be more pups that will need raising and we're hoping that residents across the Bennelong electorate, which is close to our Guide Dogs Centre in western Sydney, will be able to volunteer their time.
"As Guide Dogs NSW/ACT relies entirely on community support to fund its work, Puppy Raisers play a critical role in enabling us to better meet growing demand from people wanting a guide dog, which costs $30,000 to raise and train."
Puppy Raisers care for a puppy during its first year before it begins guide dog training. Their role is to provide basic obedience, exercise, socialisation and lots of love. Candidates are required to have a properly fenced backyard, access to a car and not leave the pups alone for longer than three to four hours a day.
As well as guide dogs, Mr Green also discussed with Mr Alexander the full range of services Guide Dogs NSW/ACT provides free of charge to assist people who might be experiencing problems getting around because of vision loss.
These services include training people in how to safely and confidently get around using long "guide" canes and electronic navigation devices like talking GPS mobile phone software.
Over the past year, the organisation has assisted around 3,600 people across NSW and the ACT.
To learn more about Guide Dogs NSW/ACT or to apply to become a Puppy Raiser please visit www.guidedogs.com.au.
ENDS
Media: Please contact Sally Edgar on 0413 753 241 or media@guidedogs.com.au