At any given time, over 2,000 Australians are estimated to require support from a Seeing Eye Dog. To help reduce this figure, the Petbarn Foundation and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) has launched a fundraising appeal to assist Australians who are blind or have low vision.

The SEDA appeal aims to raise $210,000 to cover the costs of training six Seeing Eye Dogs. The money will be crucial as it takes close to two years and costs $35,000 to train one seeing eye dog.

The training process includes 12 months of caring and socialisation for the puppy as it grows into a dog, then the real work begins with up to six months of intensive advanced training with a specialised instructor; two to three weeks of residential training; one to two week’s training in the clients’ home area and follow-up and aftercare for the life of dog while it lives with its owner.

Not all dogs trained in the program will graduate to become an official SEDA dog.

“It takes a lot of time, love, patience and money to raise these special working dogs that will one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision,” Leigh Garwood, the general manager for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia said. 

“Last year’s successful fundraising campaign through the Petbarn Foundation has enabled us to train six dogs who are all doing well. We’re once again calling on the generosity of Great Lakes locals to support this year’s appeal.” 

SEDA doesn’t receive any government funding and relies solely on sponsorships, donations and fundraising events.

Seeing eye dogs enable Australians who are blind or have low vision retain their independence and mobility.

Locals can get involved by making a donation in-store at Petbarn, Forster or by going online to: www.petbarn.com.au/seeingeyedogs.

The fundraiser will run in store and online until May 24.