Meet Terri and her Seeing Eye Dog, Farrow

Terri, 52, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 2007. She describes the day she had to hand her driving license in as her toughest. 

“I remember feeling like I had lost a part of my independence. It was a difficult time,” she said.

Terri contacted Vision Australia and was introduced to an orientation and mobility instructor who taught her how to use a white cane so she could travel around safely and with confidence.

Now, she participates in a number of social events. “I love the social aspect of getting out and about,” the Bligh Park resident stated. 

It was through her mobility instructor, Metaxia, that Terri found out about Seeing Eye Dogs (SED). “She put me in touch with someone at SED who could answer all of my questions. 

They made me feel very comfortable,” she said.

Terri waited patiently while Seeing Eye Dogs located the perfect match for her and, four months ago, Farrow bounded into her life. 

The pair has already done a fair bit of travelling and, before they set off to Queensland on a recent trip, Terri phoned her accommodation to inform them that she has a service dog. “They were fantastic and gave me a room on the ground floor so that it was more accessible for Farrow to toilet,” said Terri.

But sadly the experiences aren’t always positive. “I was at South Windsor shopping centre, when a shop owner asked me to go outside. Luckily I was able to educate him about the access rights of Seeing Eye Dogs, and he let me in,” she said. 

Learn more about the access rights of Seeing Eye Dogs.