SEEING EYE DOG APPEAL SETS $500,000 FUNDRAISING TARGET
Source: CCN (Extract)
Posted: July 6, 2020
The Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs have partnered for the seventh year in a row to raise much needed funds to assist people who are blind or have low vision, with Gosford Petbarn accepting donations to the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal up until August 2.
Store Manager, Amelia Bennett, said seeing eye dogs do more than just allow Australians with vision loss to retain their independence and mobility.
“They provide companionship, alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to all-round better quality of life,” Bennett said.
“Seeing Eye Dogs is just another example of how animals can enrich our lives.
“We encourage everyone to visit our Petbarn stores or donate online to help continue to provide these special assistance dogs to people in the community.”
The appeal aims to raise more than $500,000 to help cover the costs of breeding, training, and caring for at least ten dogs.
Over the past six years, The Petbarn Foundation’s Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal has raised $3.2M, enabling 70 seeing eye dogs to be bred and trained.
It costs more than $50,000 and takes up to two years to train each dog.
Training begins when the dog is still a puppy and involves teaching basic socialisation skills and obedience.
On maturity, each dog receives up to six months of expert training with a specialised instructor.
Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs General Manager Graeme Craig said the partnership with The Petbarn Foundation was integral.
“It takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience and funding to raise these special dogs that will one day become the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision,” Craig said.
“For the right person, the highly trained dogs help them to move quicker and navigate obstacles with much more reliability and safety.”
Donations can be made in store or online at petbarn.com.au/seda.