Message from the CEO, Aaron Chia
Thank you for supporting Guide Dogs.
The months since our last edition of Paw Prints have been a challenging time for so many. I do hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.
Thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters and commitment of our team, we are able to continue to provide the highest quality services during this difficult time for the people who need us. I’m proud to share some of our recent successes with you in this edition of Paw Prints.
Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began disrupting our lives, I was honoured to host a Graduation event at Adelaide Oval. More than 300 guests joined us to celebrate the E Litter on completing their puppy training journeys.
You may have seen Facility Dog Iris on the news. Iris recently began her career as a Facility Dog for a local Secondary School, providing support to students at risk of disengaging from education. Iris’ presence in the classroom has already led to increased student attendance rates.
You can also get to know the 12 puppies-in-training that make up the Q and R Litters. Their life-changing journeys to become Guide Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs or Therapy Dogs are only possible with the support of people like you.
I was very moved to read Emily’s story. Emily is 18 years old and this year left her family home interstate to begin her University studies in Adelaide. As a parent, I understand this is a big step for any young person – let alone one who lost their vision suddenly at just 12 years old. Thanks to your ongoing kindness, Guide Dogs is supporting Emily with extensive Orientation and Mobility training to ensure she can navigate the University campus and her new hometown with confidence.
If the Q and R Litters have whet your appetite for adorable puppy photographs, I think you will enjoy reading about the newest additions to the Guide Dogs family. Xia and Xander were born at our Puppy Development Centre in Adelaide in April and were named with the help of the community.
At a time when anxieties are running high, we were particularly encouraged to have been voted the honour of Most Trusted Charity for the seventh time in the annual Reader’s Digest Brands survey.
I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to our loyal supporters for their unwavering support and ongoing trust in us. Despite the difficult circumstances posed by COVID-19, we continue to do everything we can to enable independence for people living with low vision or blindness, children with autism, and their families – now and into the future.
Finally, I’m very pleased to announce that Beau’s Pet Hotel – our state-of-the-art pet board facility adjacent to Harbour Town and Adelaide Airport – re-opened on 1 September, offering world-class pet accommodation, daycare and grooming. If you’re planning a getaway, or if your furry friend is looking a bit scruffy after self-isolation, please be sure to book in. Beau’s provide a wonderful service and all profits are directed back to Guide Dogs SA/NT.
I trust you will enjoy this edition of Paw Prints, and I offer my sincere thanks for your support.
Aaron Chia
Chief Executive Office, Guide Dogs SA/NT
The 'PAWfect' career
Thanks to your support, puppy-in-training Iris has found her 'pawfect' career.
Iris was always a star student at Guide Dogs, excelling in everything she put her mind to. Iris welcomed every challenge and always put her best paw forward.
Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Lisa, noticed Iris’ potential very early on and started training Iris as a Guide Dog. Unfortunately, Iris’ love for other dogs and making new friends meant that a career as a Guide Dog wasn’t quite right for her. Luckily, Lisa had another ‘pawfect’ career for Iris
Lisa had previously matched puppy-in- training, Apollo, as a Facility Dog to Kidman Park Primary School and knew first-hand the impact that a Facility Dog can have on students’ wellbeing and education. Could Iris follow in Apollo’s paw prints?
The WAVE program (Wirreanda Adaptive Vocational Education) at Wirreanda Secondary School in Adelaide’s south is an alternative pathways program for students who have disengaged from mainstream schooling.
The program has around 130 students, with students ranging from teens to young adults. One of the biggest struggles for any vocational education program is student attendance and engagement – and WAVE was not immune to these struggles.
WAVE educational staff Paul and Mandy, along with Wirreanda’s senior management team, reached out to Guide Dogs about acquiring a Facility Dog.
"“We needed a Facility Dog to contribute to the physical, social and cognitive development of our young people. We also felt a Facility Dog would help students with their emotional and relational development, increase the feeling of a safe environment and enhance learning.”"
Lisa was confident Iris was the perfect candidate for the role. The skills Iris had learnt whilst training to become a Guide Dog would be transferable, in addition to learning new skills. Above all, Lisa knew that in this career Iris could finally be her ‘social butterfly’ self and be everyone’s friend.
Iris passed all her tests with flying colours and her first training day was a huge success. Iris loved every moment of meeting the staff and students, keeping calm and being very gentle and welcoming with the students. Her role involves assisting students with emotional development, physical wellbeing and social development.
“I am grateful for Iris coming to WAVE. She helps me feel safe, calm and helps me with my anxiety.” – WAVE Student
Iris is resilient and not much fazes her. From emotional students to loud noises, Iris has got it covered. She has really found her niche as the Facility Dog at WAVE and is already showing signs of success.
“Iris has already helped many young people re-engage with their education and led to more students attending school more regularly and staying for longer periods of time.” – Paul, WAVE educational staff
“Iris makes me smile. It’s the happiest I have felt in a long time.”
– WAVE Student.
“I had to be sure Iris would not only make a positive impact on students’ lives but also have a very enjoyable and rewarding career as a Facility Dog. WAVE needed a dog that was affectionate, calm, obedient, easily adaptable, and good with older students (teenagers). Iris fit all of these categories.”
– Lisa, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.
Paul and Mandy have both completed PACT (Public Access Certification Test) training which allows them to be Iris’ handlers. After a rewarding day as Facility Dog, Iris returns home with Paul and Mandy where she has become part of their loving family – their two children love to spoil her on the weekend.
Iris is now a qualified Facility Dog for the WAVE program with legal access to be on the facility grounds at Wirreanda. Iris will have a huge impact on students facing extreme challenges, assisting them to uncover their full potential.
Thank you for your support. It is because of our wonderful supporters like you that we are able to make a positive difference in our community.
“We are extremely grateful to Guide Dogs SA/NT and their supporters in helping Iris become a valued member of the Wirreanda Secondary School community. Iris is helping many of our young people re- engage with education, reduce anxiety and be a friend and companion. Thank you so very much!” – Paul, WAVE Educational Staff
Meet the X Litter!
As the world went into lockdown, the birth of two adorable newborn puppies provided much-needed positivity at Guide Dogs’ Puppy Development Centre in Adelaide.
Born to mum Ejay in April, the small litter of two puppies are the newest additions to the Guide Dog family.
Guide Dog litters are typically named after consecutive letters of the alphabet. When naming puppies, there’s lots to consider. Common human names are typically avoided, to ensure that working Guide Dogs and Autism Assistance Dogs don’t have the same names as a friend or family member of their handler.
Names should also not be too similar to another name within the same litter.
As X is a tricky letter, we reached out to our supporters and online community to suggest names for these puppies, offering an exciting prize for one lucky winner for each chosen name – a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the Puppy Development Centre (and lots of puppy cuddles!). The winning names were Xia and Xander (pictured).
Iris is making a difference thanks to the support of people like you.
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