- More than 100 Guide Dog puppies born from WA's world-class
breeding program
- $5 million in State Government funding helped
expand the program and meet demand
Guide
Dogs WA's Breeding and Cadet Training Program has reached a major milestone
with more than 100 labrador puppies now born.
The additional
Guide and Assistance Dogs were made possible by a $5 million State Government grant,
and Guide Dogs WA matched funding through public donations.
These
dogs will be trained to assist people in our community with low or no vision,
disability or illness.
The
financial support, which was a 2021 WA Labor Government election commitment,
will enable Guide Dogs WA to meet the growing demand for Guide Dogs, Autism Assistance
Dogs, Therapy Dogs and Facility Dogs with:
- a new fit-out of the Guide Dogs WA centre;
- specialised staffing costs;
- an increased fleet of fit-for-purpose vehicles;
and
- specialised whelping and puppy equipment.
Additionally,
Guide Dogs WA's Cadet Training Program has been re-established to increase the
number of local, highly qualified dog trainers and Guide Dog Mobility
Instructors in WA.
This will
create local jobs and reduce the need to outsource dogs and trainers from
interstate and overseas.
Comments attributed to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:
"These dogs play an
important role in serving our community
and I can't speak highly enough of Guide Dogs WA who, for more than 70 years,
have done an amazing job training and breeding dogs.
"While most of us are
familiar with Guide Dogs assisting blind or visually impaired people, they may
not know these dogs are also used to support those with autism or suffering from
trauma in their lives.
"I would like to commend
and thank the 280 volunteers who help Guide Dogs WA carry out its crucial role
in our community, as well as those who generously donate to help those in need."
