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Lights, camera, action!
You’ve been there every step of the way. Now we’re taking you behind-the-scenes to see the incredible impact of your support.
Through all the challenges in recent years—the floods and fires, a pandemic, and rising costs of living—you’ve continued to stand with Queenslanders living with low vision or blindness. You’ve made an incredible impact and now we want to share these incredible stories you’ve helped create in a new online docuseries, ‘Born to Lead’.
Watch the laughs, nail-biting moments, tears and triumphs, and celebrate your love and dedication that make it all worthwhile.
Thanks to PETstock and Bondi Vet, the eight-part series will take you inside the emotive life journey of Guide Dogs from birth to retirement. The series also shines a light on the stories of dedicated volunteers and trainers, as well as those who are matched with life-changing Guide Dogs, thanks to your support.
Your unwavering commitment is what makes these stories and life-changing experiences possible. Thank you!
Your pick of the litter
You named our new Queensland pups.
Featuring names from iconic Queensland locations and personalities, you gave nine special pups unique Queensland names, paying tribute to the Maroon spirit.
Guide Dogs General Manager Jock Beveridge said the final nine names for our promising pack of perfect pups were announced on Queensland Day in June.
“From hundreds of great suggestions, the best names were chosen to represent Queensland and perfectly suit the pups’ personalities,” Jock said.
“Thanks to you, these pups will wear their names with pride as they continue their journey to become life-changing Guide Dogs.”
Your tribute to a fallen hero
You named Guide Dog pup Davey in honour of Queensland Police Senior-Constable David Masters, who was tragically killed on duty a year ago.
“It’s so meaningful for Guide Dog Handlers when their dog has a name with a purpose and deep ties to the community,” Jock said. “Davey certainly has a special name in honour of someone who made a positive impact.”
Senior-Constable Masters’ family, friends and colleagues were able to meet Davey during a visit to the Deception Bay Police Station.
“When we found out Dave’s name had been nominated, we were shocked at the public support and love for Dave and his service,” Senior-Constable Masters’ wife, Sharon said.
“We’re so thankful for this beautiful tribute and memory of Dave.” We can’t wait to see what Davey achieves on his journey to serving the community, just as Senior-Constable Masters did.
“When we found out Dave’s name had been nominated, we were shocked at the public support and love for Dave and his service,” Senior-Constable Masters’ wife, Sharon said.
“We’re so thankful for this beautiful tribute and memory of Dave.” We can’t wait to see what Davey achieves on his journey to serving the community, just as Senior-Constable Masters did.
Your impact lasts a lifetime
Thanks to you, Jenny, Stacey and Brent had a place to turn to for support when they needed it most.
Anyone can experience vision loss at any time. It doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, lifestyle or location. It could be anyone at any point in their life. And for each individual, their journey is unique.
That’s why your support is so important. You make it possible for people with low vision or blindness to access personalised services. Whether it’s learning to move around safely, improving mental health through psychology services, making new friendships through Leisure and Lifestyle classes, or gaining the independence and companionship that comes with having a Guide Dog, your support helps people to achieve their goals.
Thank you for being there for Jenny, Stacey, Brent, and so many other Queenslanders who are now living life on their own terms, thanks to your support.
Image: Brent and Jaycee (top), Jenny (left), and Stacey (right).
“Getting a cane opened up my world and I can’t thank you enough. With the white cane I am able to put my head up and navigate the world without fear of falling. I can go and do the activities I want to do with confidence, knowing I’m not going to get hurt. I’m now independent and loving life. Thank you.”
“I’ve been vision impaired since I was five years old. My sight is slowly deteriorating, so the last few years have been rough. I’ve been getting into some of the Leisure and Lifestyle programs and one of them has been yoga. I found it to be incredible for my mental health and wellbeing. I have noticed more strength in my muscles in my legs, in my arms and I’ve noticed much better balance with my walking.”
“I’d just turned 16 when I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, Stargardt’s Disease, commonly referred to as the young person’s Macular Degeneration.
I thought I could get through it on my own.
It wasn’t until after I became legally blind that I really started seeking support. I’d had a few close calls with traffic that really made me think I needed some help.
Since working with Guide Dogs, things have gotten much easier. I’ve been able to go to the places I want, when I want, and I’ve been able to do it safely. Without that support I don’t know where I’d be.
I can’t thank you enough.
Now I have Jaycee, my first Guide Dog. She has changed everything for me and can take me around. She’s my companion, always by my side. She’s more than my best friend. She a part of me now.
With your support, Guide Dog Jaycee is now a life-changing companion and support for Brent. It’s no longer just Brent—it’s Brent and Jaycee. The easiest way to explain life since having Jaycee is that I can just be a normal person now. I’ve never had anything like her whatsoever and she’s just amazing.”
Can you raise a future Guide Dog?
Anyone can do it!
Kate is a full-time working Mum and Ray is a retiree. Kate and Ray each have very different lifestyles, but both have welcomed a pup from the A Litter into their homes as first-time Puppy Raisers.
Why did you sign up to raise a pup?
Kate: “I didn’t want my kids growing up without a dog, however, I travel for work so I was looking for a shorter commitment to suit our family’s lifestyle.”
Ray: “I had the time to do it and thought it would be nice to look after a Guide Dog because there’s an end result. The Guide Dog will eventually become someone’s eyes and that motivates us to raise our pup, Arnie.”
What does a typical day look like for you?
Kate: “In the morning I’ll feed the kids and our pup, Atom. Then the kids go off to school and Atom and I head to work. I travel to rural places and Atom comes with me wherever I go. Most of Atom’s training is done during the day when the kids are at school. Then after the kids have gone to sleep, I do Atom’s handling and grooming.”
Ray: “I’m retired so I can spend my whole day with him. We walk in the morning, we play in the afternoons, and we do training throughout the day. The whole day really revolves around him.”
How do people react to the pup at your work or in public?
Kate: “People come over to chat about him or ask if I’m enjoying being a Puppy Raiser. I find a lot of people say they’ve considered doing it and I always tell them to give it a go—it’s been a great experience so far!”
Ray: “My wife works at a school, so I took Arnie into class. All the kids sat in a circle while we had a question-and-answer session about what Guide Dogs are. It was a pleasure. They all loved him, even the teachers all came down to say hello to him.”
Are you interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser? Find out more here or support volunteers like Kate and Ray by making a donation here.
The perfect PAWGUST match you made possible
Thanks to you, James’ life was changed for the better when he was matched with Guide Dog Jonah.
When James was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 11 years of age, his world turned upside down. The cancer caused nerve damage to his eyes, leaving him with only 2% of his vision.
Since then, James has discovered his passion for art and photography. By getting close to the canvas—so close that his nose gets paint on it —he can see the brush strokes he is painting. And when taking photos, James enlarges images onto a screen to look closely to pick up on the finer details.
“For every moment I miss in real life, I know I can count on 45 million pixels to fill the gaps,” James said.
Although James’ art brought a new vibrance into his life, he was feeling isolated. His friends struggled to understand what life was like with low vision and James began to feel excluded.
Then in April 2021, James was matched with the perfect companion, Guide Dog Jonah.
“As amazing as Jonah is at getting me out and about safely and independently, that is only about 70% of what he brings to my life. The other 30% is about having a best friend in my life.”
Jonah was born in 2019 and is extra special as he was part of a PAWGUST litter.
By taking part or supporting PAWGUST, you help make perfect matches like James and Jonah possible.
Jonah has changed James’ life in more ways than one and is so much more than “just a dog”. “He’s my companion and my partner in crime.”
Whether you’re braving the cold and walking 30 minutes a day for PAWGUST this August or making a donation—you’re helping change the lives of Queenslanders like James. Thank you!
How you helped Mike and Bob become best mates for life
You make it possible for support to be there every step of the way.
Even after Guide Dog Bob retired, he continued to be a best friend to his former Handler, Mike. Mike and Bob were inseparable. It was this special bond that left Mike with a hard decision to make. When Mike received the call that Bob needed to retire and a new match had been found, he was living by himself and was unable to care for two dogs at the same time. To welcome his new Guide Dog Archie into his life, Mike would need to rehome Bob.
Luckily, your support enabled us to find the perfect new home for Bob’s retirement.
Bob’s new family, Neal and Marie, love to travel. They head out on the road, with Bob now joining them on their adventures around the country.
“To us, he is the best dog in the world and we think he is enjoying his retirement as much as we enjoy having him,” Neal and Marie said.
Neal and Marie continue to keep in touch with Mike and arrange time for him to visit Bob.
“Bob still recognizes me and was excited when he saw me again,” Mike told us. “He doesn’t usually take much notice of other dogs, but he likes my new Guide Dog Archie.”
Although each dog is unique, Mike explained that there was one thing Bob and Archie have in common. When they aren’t working and their harness comes off , they love to let their cheeky personalities shine through. This is what Mike loves so much.
Both Bob and Archie have been wonderful guides for Mike, providing independence and close companionship.
It’s thanks to your generosity that connections like these are possible. Thank you for being there for Queenslanders like Mike.
The mark you make in the journey of life-changing Guide Dogs.
Your support makes it possible to breed, raise and train Guide Dogs just like Bob and Archie. Some special supporters also choose to sponsor promising pups by leaving a gift in their Will or making a donation to cover the costs of a litter. To acknowledge these gifts, special names are chosen to reflect their generosity.
Guide Dog Bob
Bob was named in memory of a supporter who left a gift in his Will to Guide Dogs—a gift that changed Mike’s life.
Guide Dog Archie
Archie’s name was chosen by the sponsor of his litter, Joy Kefford.
Joy is a volunteer, has sponsored 20 dogs, raised a puppy, and so much more! Shortly after Joy’s husband passed away, she adopted Ambassador Dog Archie—the puppy she and her husband had raised together.
While Ambassador Dog Archie wasn’t able to become a Guide Dog, he still made an incredible impact, working alongside Joy to raise funds and awareness.
“Archie was very special to me,” Joy explained. “He got me through a difficult time.”
Archie meant so much to Joy that she wanted a Guide Dog to graduate with the name.
To her delight, the pup that she named Archie qualified and went on to be matched with Mike!
Do you have a perfect name in mind for a future Guide Dog? Contact Kerry on 07 3500 9005 to learn about naming opportunities.
Finding the perfect career
What happens to the dogs you help that don’t become Guide Dogs?
Your support provides specialised training for life-changing dogs. This training teaches skills that can have a meaningful impact in more ways than one.
While Jasmine wasn’t quite the right fit to work as a Guide Dog, her training and loving personality made her a perfect fit for a different career.
She is wonderful with people and has been able to provide additional emotional support to clients in her new role as a Client Support Dog.
This program has a big impact on mental health and has gotten off the ground thanks to the generous funding of our community. Guide Dogs Psychologist Dr Janet Cheong said a change in vision is so much more than losing the ability to see.
“Vision loss impacts all aspects of life, including a person’s mental health. For this reason, having psychology services available for our clients is very important,” Janet explained.
“Experiencing vision loss can be emotionally and mentally challenging.
“Just having Jasmine there at arm’s reach, helps calm people down and puts them at ease.”
Initiatives like this can only happen with your support. Thank you for being there for those in need.
With your help, we can continue to provide a broad range of services for people experiencing a change in their vision at any stage of their journey.
You’re the inspiration
For Maree, Ron and Jan, their love of volunteering
is inspired by people like you who are committed
to helping change lives.
“My favourite part about volunteering with Guide Dogs is the people I’ve met,” Maree said. “I’ve also loved seeing the growth in the organisation and knowing I’ve been a part of it is incredibly rewarding.”
Maree, Ron and Jan were recently recognised for their 20 years of volunteering as part of National Volunteer Week. They have contributed in many ways from puppy raising, selling merchandise at events or volunteering in the office.
There’s no place like home
Your generosity provides dedicated support to Gold Coast seniors in their own homes.
Guide Dogs Orientation and Mobility Specialist Natalie Paterson has been working with Gold Coast seniors to help improve their independence.
“Being able to deliver support to clients in their own homes is incredibly important. Seeing how a person moves in and around their homes can be one of the first steps when planning a tailored support program,” Natalie said.
“I can then provide training in a familiar environment to create a positive start to work towards their goals.”
With the help of charitable partners like the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation, this has become more achievable on the Gold Coast.
The Foundation has recently provided a new car, designated for the Gold Coast, and covered its running costs for three years so specialists like Natalie can travel more easily to deliver these tailored services.
With the help of charitable partners like the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation, this has become more achievable on the Gold Coast.
The Foundation has recently provided a new car, designated for the Gold Coast, and covered its running costs for three years so specialists like Natalie can travel more easily to deliver these tailored services.
Lessons beyond the classroom
Kids and schools across Queensland are putting their paws up to raise funds for those living with low vision or blindness.
Brisbane Grammar School Teacher Stella Gardner said taking part in the challenge has been a great hands-on learning experience for her students.
“It has opened up the eyes of the teachers, boys and the wider school community,” Stella explained.
“You can’t put a value on that. It’s mind-blowing.”
The students also put what they’d learnt into practice to make their school more accessible. For example, they now make an extra effort to keep schoolbags on the bag racks so pathways are clear.”
If you know a champion kid who would love to get involved in our Youth Ambassador challenge at their school, contact Rebecca at youthambassador@guidedogsqld.com.au to find out more.
Giving back with impact
Everyone wants to work somewhere that gives back to the community.
The generosity of Queenslanders not only comes from individuals like you, but sometimes also from the places we work.
Once such organisation is the Queensland Fertility Group (QFG), where the staff have chosen to sponsor promising pups on their journey to change lives.
For QFG staff member Lisa-Maree Hajas, the support also has a personal connection. Lisa-Maree’s 10-year-old granddaughter lives with juvenile Retinitis Pigmentosa, meaning she is likely to be blind by the time she turns 16.
Knowing that her granddaughter may one day need a Guide Dog meant this partnership was especially close to her heart.
Cooking Classes
Cooking up a storm
Featured recipe
Golden Lab Lemonade Scones
Serves: 8
Ingredient
- 2 cups self-raising fl our, sifted
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup caster sugar
- 1/2 cup thick cream
- 1/2 cup lemonade
- 2tbsp milk
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Place the flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the cream and lemonade and mix to form a soft dough.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured workbench and knead lightly until combined.
- Press the dough with your hands to a thickness of about 2cm.
- Use a 6cm round cutter to cut out 8 scones, place on baking tray and brush the tops with some milk.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned.
Thanks to your support, cooking classes led by an Occupational Therapist have been helping people living with low vision or blindness to develop skills to cook confidently in their own kitchen and home.
From making meatballs to rolling scones, each week our clients take home a new recipe and new skills to continue creating delicious food they enjoy.
Thank you for being there to help people, at all stages of their journey, gain the skills they need to live with confidence.
A lasting legacy named Aiko
Thanks to a special gift, Aiko is on her way to change someone’s life.
Aiko means “Little Loved One” and was chosen in honour of Kay, a generous supporter who left a gift in her Will to Guide Dogs.
Kay always knew she wanted to make a difference. Because of her support, Aiko will now continue Kay’s legacy, long into the future.
Jordyn and Leanne, who assisted in administering Kay’s estate, recently had the opportunity to meet Aiko and learn more about her promising future, thanks to Kay’s gift.
“It’s great to see how Guide Dogs stays in touch with families and shares the impact of Kay’s gift,” Leanne said.
“Our hearts melted when we met Aiko and we look forward to seeing how she helps transform someone’s life.
We wish her all the best on her training journey ahead.”
Many Queenslanders choose to leave a gift in their Will to create a lasting legacy like Kay’s. To receive a free information kit, contact Renae at bequests@guidedogsqld.com.au