Guide dog puppy was a star

Guide dog puppy Willa was a star at the Central Coast Volunteer Support Group's fundraising stall on Wednesday, June 6, at Deepwater Plaza, Woy Woy.

Willa visited the stall, which ran from 9am to 2.30pm, to acknowledge the Central Coast Support Group's fundraising for Guide Dogs NSW-ACT.

The group has contributed to the $30,000 it costs to raise and train Willa.

Guide Dogs Volunteer and Support Group coordinator Ms Helen Roche said that fundraising by the Central Coast Support Group has been invaluable.

"The Guide Dogs organisation relies on the generosity of the community to provide its services free of charge to help people with impaired vision to remain independent.

"Vision loss is increasing as our population ages, so demand for our services is also increasing, and so the work of volunteers like the Central Coast Support Group is only going to grow in importance," she said.

As well as rubbing noses with some fully trained guide dogs, Willa helped the team to sell Father's Day raffle tickets and Guide Dog merchandise.

"Vision loss is a challenging disability but Guide Dogs' free services help people realise that it doesn't have to limit their independence," Central Coast president Ms Barbara Craig said

Guide Dogs' services include teaching people how to use long canes, guide dogs and electronic navigation devices like talking GPS software for mobile phones, she said.

Most training was delivered locally, in a person's home or work environment.

The visit from Willa showed how individuals, organisations and companies could benefit from sponsoring a guide dog puppy, she said.

Sponsors were able to name their puppy and have the opportunity to watch the guide dog graduate.

People can also help out Guide Dogs NSW-ACT by becoming a Puppy Pal, making a monthly donation that supports the training of guide dog puppies.

Media Release, 30 May 2012

Sally Edgar, Guide Dogs NSW-ACT