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Toowoomba's streets can be a minefield for some able-bodied individuals. Wheelie bins on footpaths, uneven concrete, rough curbs.
Imagine then if you lived in darkness. That is the situation that Toowoomba woman Janet Etchells faces every day.
Ms Etchells was born blind and for the past 30 years has used a Seeing Eye Dog to get her from A to B.
Last month, Ms Etchells was placed with her seventh dog, a two-year-old Labrador named Fergie.
"My whole world revolves around the dog," she said.
"She is my best friend, my mobility, my independence."
Each day Ms Etchells walks five kilometres to and from her Toowoomba Regional Council workplace, a feat made possible by the conscientious blonde Lab by her side.
"I can do it, but it is not as easy with the cane," she said.
"Obviously when you approach obstacles with a cane, you know they are there.
"But then you have to make your way around that obstacle.
"It's amazing what you come across on the footpaths.
"But with her, most of the time I don't know there is anything there.
"She takes me around those things. She stops at curbs and finds the best and smoothest parts of the footpath."
Two-year-old Fergie was placed with Ms Etchells by Seeing Eye Dogs.
Like all Seeing Eye Dogs, Fergie underwent a 12 month stint with a puppy carer.
"It is an invaluable service," Ms Etchells said.
"For the first 12 months, they are socialised in the home, learn how to get on buses and pubic transport and enter cafes."