Seeing Eye Dogs Show, by Vision Australia Radio

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show we have two interviews for you:

• Claire Crewe Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Development Trainer talks to show host Harriet Moffat about cooperative carer and its benefits, and the roll out of the program for puppy carers. This exciting development will teach puppies essential skills to help them be comfortable and confident being handled.
• We share an interview hosted by Peter Greco with retired Seeing Eye Dogs Instructor Harry Vanderjagt. Harry has been on the show before during his days at Seeing Eye Dogs, so we wanted to share this interview where he discusses the Golden Harness award he received from Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) in recognition of his contribution to the dog guide industry.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show Harriet is joined by three guests.

Puppy Development Trainers Jack Lord and Lina Xi join us talking about their training in the puppy development diploma, what they've learnt and some highlights and challenges of the role.

Then Catherine Kennedy from People2People Recruitment joins us talking about the OZTOPDOG Competition and the benefits of having dogs in the workplace. OZTOPDOG Competition is a competition for dogs with jobs or dogs who attend offices, rewarding those 'good boys' for their great work. If you have a Seeing Eye Dog or puppy, or bring your dog into the office, why not enter them in the competition for a chance to have your efforts recognised and even win some fun dog prizes!

Then we play a snippet of an older interview with Seeing Eye Dogs handler Peter Frank talking about his story and life with Seeing Eye Dog Anya. Peter and Anya's story is available to listen in full on our OMNY.FM.. The team were recently featured in the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs appeal for 2023. We want to also thank everyone who supported the appeal which raised $1.35 million over the month of July 2023.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show Harriet is joined by Seeing Eye Dogs handler Lynn Potter talking about her life with her Seeing Eye Dog Hector and her story.

Then we play a repeat of an interview with Senior Puppy Development Trainer Kim Rulach talking about selecting safe and Seeing Eye Dog suitable toys for your dog.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show, we have a number of different voices chatting with us.

• Hailey Lindermann Seeing Eye Dogs handler of Tippi joins us talking about her Seeing Eye Dog Tippi and their life together. She talks about the impact of having a Seeing Eye Dog and her story, as well as why she is supporting the Seeing Eye Dogs Petbarn Foundation appeal this year. To support the appeal, head to a Petbarn or City Farmers store in July to make a donation, buy a Petbarn Foundation hedgehog from your local Greencross vet, or head to their website at petbarn.com.au/seda.
• Harriet talks puppy placement and matching processes with a few members of Team Seeing Eye Dogs Laura King Puppy Development Operations Officer, Vanessa Godfrey Puppy Development Trainer and Jacob Brown Senior Puppy Centre Attendant. We talk about how puppies are matched to their carer homes, and the factors that help make those placements to set the puppies up for success. We discuss how temperament is evaluated, and carers' lifestyles and environment are taken into consideration to help each puppy grow and thrive to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Seeing Eye Dogs Show we have a bumper episode for you. Harriet is joined by three guests:

• Petbarn Foundation Manager Janelle Bloxsom and Seeing Eye Dogs handler and Regional Client Services Manager at Vision Australia Rolf Geerlings join us to talk about the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal for 2023. Head to a Petbarn or City Farmers store in July to make a donation, buy a Petbarn Foundation hedgehog from your local Greencross vet, or head to their website at www.petbarn.com.au/seda to support the appeal.
• People and Culture Services Manager Ranmali McCormack joins us talking about the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) at Vision Australia, what the reflect RAP means and Vision Australia's commitment to the RAP, and our next steps towards developing the Innovate RAP. To find out more about Vision Australia's RAP head to the website.
• Harriet announces the names of the NAIDOC named Seeing Eye Dogs puppies for 2023. These puppies' names were chosen by members of the community who identity as Aboriginal and/or Torres' Strait Islander and demonstrate a connection to country. For the list of names and more information head to the NAIDOC names article on our website.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show, we have two interviews to play for you.

Harriet is joined by Brit McCarthy, Seeing Eye Dogs breeding operations officer, talking about the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) conference, what was learnt there and how Seeing Eye Dogs and other IGDF schools can work together to create dog guide partnerships of the future and continue to develop and improve practice.

Then, we play some vet tips from Dr Ashe Mooney of Seeing Eye Dogs vet team talking dental hygiene in dogs.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show, we have two interviews from the archive:

• Seeing Eye Dogs training program manager Kylie Gersh joins us talking about the principles of cooperative care and giving dogs choice in their care. We talk about animal husbandry and how we can use positive training methods and rewards to give better care to our animals with their welfare in mind.
• Chris Edwards manager of Government Relations, Advocacy, NDIS and Aged Care at Vision Australia joins us to share some tips for flying with your Seeing Eye Dog or dog guide. Chris is a Seeing Eye Dogs handler, and he and his dog Eva are frequent flyers so this team are well-equipped to share some tips for a smooth travelling.

We also told you about two news pieces at Seeing Eye Dogs:

• Registrations are now open for Trek for Vision 2024 in New Zealand. To take part in a fabulous trek to raise funds for Vision Australia Radio and Quality Living programs, join VA's CEO Ron Hooton on the 2024 trek on March 7-11. For more information or to sign up head to the Trek's website. The trek is accessible, so if you are blind or have low vision, you are welcome to attend. If you have a Seeing Eye Dog, please chat with your instructor about your dog's suitability to attend and training needed for the 60km of walking

• In recognition of NAIDOC Week, 2 - 9 July 2023, Vision Australia would like to extend an invitation to all clients, their families, friends, Vision Australia partners and stakeholders, and community, who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to submit a special name for consideration to name a Seeing Eye Dogs pups.

  Submitted names will have a connection to country to recognise all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage and will be considered by a panel from Seeing Eye Dogs, including First Nations representatives and announced during NAIDOC week. To submit your special name and a short description, Name a Seeing Eye Dogs pup for NAIDOC Week form or send an email to: [email protected]. Final submissions: close of business Friday 30 June 2023.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show, Harriet is joined by two guests.

• Annette Ferguson chairperson of Dog Guide Handlers Australia (DGHA) joins us talking about DGHA, their work and the upcoming conference. The DGHA conference on August 4-6 2023 in Brisbane, Queensland is a chance for handlers of dog guides from all schools to get together, learn more about all things dog guide and enjoy a weekend of fun. For more information on DGHA, visit the DGHA website or if you're a dog guide handler or supporter including staff or volunteer from a dog guide school, join the DGHA Facebook group to get involved.
• Dr Ashe Mooney from Seeing Eye Dogs vet team joins us talking about getting your dog to the optimal body condition score. A few episodes ago, Ashe explained why body condition is a good measure of your dog's fitness- more than what weight can tell us! Now, she's back talking about how to help the dog in your care get to the ideal body condition. Please note this information is for general information, please work with your vet before making changes to your dog's feeding or care.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show Harriet we have two interviews to share with you.

President of CNIB Guide Dogs Diane Bergeron joins us in the Kooyong studio for a chat. We talk about the relationship between schools internationally and the collaboration we can share as well as about her role at CNIB Guide Dogs. Diane is a dog guide handler herself, so we talk about the personal insights and lived experience she brings to her role as president of the school.

Seeing Eye Dogs handler Gordon Boughton shares his story with us, and talks with us about his new partnership with Seeing Eye Dog Yuma. Gordon tells us about his experience losing his vision later in life and becoming a first time dog guide handler at age 80. His story is a great one- especially for anyone who isn't sure if they're too old to consider applying for their first Seeing Eye Dog.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now in selected regions of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided and costs including food, supplied and vet care provided free to puppy carers. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Seeing Eye Dogs Show, we have two interviews for you.

• Dr Ashe Mooney from the Seeing Eye Dogs Vet Team joins us talking about body condition score and what it means to keep a dog healthy. We discuss the measure of weight and fitness and how to work with your vet to keep your dog at the optimum weight or body condition score for them.
• Vision Australia Radio Perth volunteer Tess Hellsten specially hosts an interview for us with Matt Wood an instructor from Seeing Eye Dogs based in Perth. We talk about delivering services and being a handler in the region, and the work that Matt does in Western Australia.

If you'd like to find out more about Seeing Eye Dogs head to our website: https://sed.visionaustralia.org/

We are looking for puppy carers now so if you're keen to raise a puppy to hopefully become a Seeing Eye Dog we'd like to hear from you! It's an incredibly rewarding experience, with training provided. Carers need time, patience and love to give to a puppy, so if you want to commit to a year of puppy raising, we would love your help. Get in touch to find out about volunteering with us or apply now via our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.