Local guide dog users are encouraging donations this week for the “significant” costs to raise, train, and maintain the canine improvement for those who are blind or have low vision.
Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dog Puppy Appeal week began on 20 March and street collections for the organistion will be at New World Nelson and Motueka on 22 and 23 March.
Blind Low Vision NZ says the annual event supports blind and low vision people by providing them with highly trained guide dogs to enhance their independence and navigate the challenges of daily life.
“The journey to becoming a guide dog is not an easy one, accompanied by a significant cost of approximately $175,000 to raise, train, and maintain one guide dog in service… the organisation receives no government funding towards this,” the organisation says.
“The impact of these trained guide dogs cannot be overstated; they open new possibilities and help their handlers live safer, more independent lives.
“With an average wait time of 552 days to receive a guide dog and 27 clients currently awaiting a match, the Guide Dog Puppy Appeal Week is essential in reducing this waiting list.”
Motueka guide dog user and appeal week coordinator for the town, Sue Fraser, who has low vision, says it took about two years for her guide dog, Riley, to become available.
“When one actually came through it was wonderful, it opened my world into a bit more independence because the worst thing was losing my driver’s licence, and then I couldn’t read, so it was very challenging,” she says.
“With the help I’ve had from Blind and Low Vision has been amazing to help me become an individual who can now walk in the local community with my guide dog to help me along the way, he’s given me the confidence I needed.
“Hopefully people will be able to donate as much as they possibly can, anything would be helpful because guide dogs cost well over $50,000 to maintain to be the dog they are.”
Māpua resident Steve Delaney, who is blind, says he was on the waiting list for his guide dog, Sally, for five years.
“I’m lucky to have the little girl Sally [the guide dog] I have now. Sally has made my life so much easier, they open up a world to people that they probably didn’t believe they could obtain,” he says.
“I’ve been a volunteer collecting for guide dogs in the past here in Māpua, very generous community. I think people associate puppies and guide dogs with something that is worth giving.”
Online donations can be made here.
