Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
Every day, 28 Australians are diagnosed with uncorrectable vision loss. Of those, 9 will become blind. Guide Dogs NSW/ACT transform lives by enhancing the independence and mobility of Australians living with vision loss.
In conjunction with the Guide dogs, they also provide numerous other services for those living with vision loss or impairment. Ranging from assisting in independent living, providing specialist services, access to information and technology, and also orientation and mobility to enhance confidence and independence.
Bunderra Foundation made a significant contribution to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT in order to provide training and enrichment for fifty puppies in training. We look forward to hearing about the puppies progress over the coming months.
Canine Court Companion Program
August 2023
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is happy to announce that we have been chosen to deliver the successful Canine Court Companion Program for an additional 12 months in partnership with the NSW Government, Department of Communities and Justice (Victim Services). This program is designed to support victims of crime and ease the stress of attending court. During the session, victims of crime and court staff can spend time with a specially selected Therapy Dog, and pats and hugs are encouraged!
Since 2021, Guide Dogs has placed 69 Therapy Dogs with individuals and 8 Therapy Dogs have been placed in facilities such as schools and aged care facilities.
This is an excellent result for Guide Dogs staff and volunteers, and it is a testament to their commitment and dedication to the Therapy Dogs and the Canine Court Companion Program, to support victims of crime to feel more relaxed in a stressful environment.”
Therapy Dog Program
August 2021
This our second year working with the therapy dog program within Guide Dogs. The Therapy Dog Program places carefully selected dogs with people who are disadvantaged due to age, illness, disability or isolation and will benefit from the companionship that is provided by a Therapy dog.
Therapy dogs may be placed with individuals, families, organisations, such as schools nursing homes or the Canine Court Companion Program.
Guide Dogs Graduation Ceremony
March 2019
In March we were lucky enough to be invited to and attend the Graduation Ceremony for five up & coming Guide Dogs. It was so great to witness these five beautiful dogs receive their very first harness at this special ceremony.
The five future Guide Dogs include two black dogs named Harry B and Lady, and three yellow dogs named Odin, Jane and Banner. Each dog has spent five months undergoing intensive training at the Guide Dog Centre learning the skills to guide a person with sight loss safely.
“It takes $50,000 to breed, raise and train each Guide Dog so the presentation will be a celebration of the dedicated training over the past two years to get these life-changing dogs to the all-important working stage of their life. With the demand for Guide Dogs’ services increasing due to growing numbers of people having trouble getting around as a result of sight loss, we’re incredibly grateful for the support we receive from the community,” Mr Sullivan said.
As guests at the graduation Ceremony, we were treated to an opportunity to watch the Guide Dogs demonstrate their skills, enjoy a puppy pre-school session, meet a new litter of Guide Dog puppies and hear from Guide Dog handlers about how their lives have changed for the better.
We had a wonderful time at the ceremony, celebrating and encouraging the new group of graduates. We are very proud to be supporting such a wonderful organisation and we look forward to hearing more news, when each of these amazing dogs are placed with their new owner/handler.
Annual Puppy Play Day
August 2018
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT hosted Puppy Play Day at The Guide Dogs Centre as a special thank you for wonderful Puppy Pals who assist and support the cause.
Despite the rain, it was apparently a brilliant day! Guests enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities including tours of The Guide Dogs Centre kennels, a special Sponsor Puppy parade starring Chase, Everest, Marshall, Luna, Rocket and Star (who all just celebrated their first birthdays!), and a guest appearance from Australia’s Got Talent finalist and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT client Matt McLaren.
Bunderra Foundation Directors were unable to attend the Puppy Play Day this year but are pleased to hear that the event was a great success. We look forward to hopefully being involved in future years.