THREE new puppies are set to be welcomed to the Guide Dogs WA team this week but the foundation is urgently seeking puppy sponsors.
Twenty five per cent of vision impaired clients live in regional WA and since 2012, three guide dogs have been sponsored by the Bunbury community.
Charlie, a three year old Labrador, also resides in the area working as an animal-assisted program therapy dog at Bunbury Senior High School.
Bunbury resident Vicki Cottrell sponsored the most recent graduate Guide Dog, Ida, in memory of her late mother.
“To know the positive impact having Ida has on Michael’s life now is nothing short of awe inspiring,” Mrs Cottrell said.
“To have shared Ida’s journey and to see all the love, dedication and training put into her by her puppy raisers and trainers was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
Guide Dogs enhance the mobility and independence of a person who is blind or vision impaired and each puppy that joins the program ensures no one is left in the dark.
To sponsor a Guide Dog costs $30,000 however syndicate sponsorship is now available to make sponsorship of a puppy more attainable within the community.
For $10,000 you can partner with two other sponsors and each sponsor can submit two names for their shared puppy.
The amount of $5,000 allows Guide Dogs WA to match you with five other parties, each submitting a potential name for your puppy
It takes two years and costs over $70,000 to train a Guide Dog and Guide Dogs WA is totally reliant on the support of the community to fund the program.
For more information visit guidedogswa.com.au or contact Margie Bradley on 9311 8236.
