Seeing Eye Dogs need puppy carers now

Many of us take our independence for granted. The ability to go for a walk and grab some milk or to jump on a train to go to the footy is easy for the majority of us. For others, this is an experience that can be very difficult and at times impossible.

Vision Australia supports people who are blind or have low vision to live independently and enjoy the day to day activities most of us take for granted.

A service that currently needs a boost is Vision Australia's Seeing Eye Dogs with Puppy Carers required across metropolitan Melbourne.

Being a Seeing Eye Dogs Puppy Carer is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to volunteer without any of the associated costs of owning a dog. You also have the satisfaction of knowing your contribution is providing the gift of independence.

Long-term Puppy Carer, Michael Vitale, said he and his wife started caring for Seeing Eye Dogs puppies after seeing an ad in the local paper.

"We wanted to have a pet but this has ticked so many boxes for us. The satisfaction of knowing that what we are doing is going to make such a positive difference to someone is huge," Michael said. "I highly recommend this form of volunteering to others."

"At SED we provide training and a puppy pack which includes everything you need for when your puppy arrives home," said Mark Jackman, SED Puppy Development Supervisor.

"A Puppy Development Officer visits you regularly and provides ongoing support including one-on-one training in your home. Boarding facilities are available at SED if you are going away on holidays and all vet and food bills are covered by SED too.

"We have many SED Puppy Carers that have looked after a number of puppies over the years and keep coming back as they enjoy the experience and realise the difference they are able to make to someones independence"

Seeing Eye Dogs currently has puppies waiting to go to a good homes.

If you can care for a puppy in your home from the age of 8 weeks until they are approximately 12-15 months of age then Seeing Eye Dogs (SED), a division of Vision Australia, wants to hear from you as soon as possible.

Please call SED on 1800 037 773 and discuss this life changing opportunity further.