By Jessica Micallef
The Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs have partnered to assist people who are blind or have low vision.
The Petbarn Sunbury store is accepting donations for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia, to help raise more than $600,000 to cover the costs of breeding, training, caring for puppies and matching Seeing Eye dogs to as many people as possible.
Store manager Rikki-Lee Douglas is encouraging the community to dig deep for the special cause.
“We are so excited to be supporting Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs again this year,” she said.
“For the right person, the highly trained dogs allow Australians who are blind or have low vision to travel independently and navigate obstacles in a quicker and more efficient manner than they otherwise can with other mobility aides such as a white cane.
“They can also help alleviate the effects of social isolation and contribute to an all-round better quality of life.”
Seeing Eye Dogs general manager David Speyer said:“To breed, care for and train these special dogs, takes a lot of expertise, time, love, patience and funding which may one day provide the gift of independence for people who are blind or have low vision.”
To donate: petbarn.com.au or visit 17 Horne Street, Sunbury.
