News
Celebrating 25 years and counting!
If you’ve been part of the Guide Dogs community for a while you have most likely heard of or met Jodie. At Guide Dogs she’s a bit famous.
Jodie doesn’t like being in the limelight but because this October marks 25 years that she’s been working at Guide Dogs, she agreed for us to share a bit of her journey.
Jodie’s official title is Dog Services Manager but over the last 25 years she has also worn many different hats, although always working either with the dogs or with Clients or both!
Her journey with Guide Dogs started in 1999 as a volunteer, which was shortly followed by a full-time position in the kennels.
She recalls her first day, “It was a bit daunting to be honest. For my first shift I had to look after 25 dogs on my own. It was a big responsibility. Even after all these years I still don’t take it lightly having the dogs in my care.”
Jodie went from working in the kennels to becoming a Guide Dogs Trainer Cadet, training the dogs to become the qualified guiding companions they were born to be.
“I love working with the dogs. They are all unique with their own personalities. I know we aren’t supposed to have favourites, but I have one – Phil. I’ve nicknamed him Doctor Phil. He is so clever, cuddly, he’s got a great sense of humour, and he’s excellent at his job. Plus he is a black Labrador which is my favourite.”
After eight years working solely with the dogs, Jodie studied her Orientation and Mobility Masters in Human Services. “When I left school I wanted to join the Police so I finished a degree in Criminology. Little did I know then that my degree would be the basis for studying a Masters in Orientation and Mobility,” says Jodie.
As an O&M Jodie is qualified to teach orientation and mobility skills to clients and often this also entails travelling to visit regional clients. With this travel experience Jodie has gained a respect for aeroplane etiquette. Her number one pet peeve is luggage with wheels. “No matter the size, luggage with wheels should be checked in and not allowed as carry on, otherwise there is no space left in the overhead compartment for my small backpack,” jokes Jodie.
In 2010 Jodie went on to complete her Guide Dog Instructor Cadetship and in 2020 she gained yet another qualification, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, through an American institute. It just goes to show that our trainers and specialists are some of the best in the world.
However when asked what she loves most about her job Jodie says, “Even after 25 years, it’s still very rewarding to see the difference a Guide Dog makes in the life of a Client. I don’t think that will ever change.”
Thank you Jodie for being such a humble and dedicated member of the Guide Dogs team. 25 years is an incredible length of service, and we honour you for all the hard work and dedication you have poured into the lives of the dogs and the Clients alike.
