Young Tasmanians living with vision impairment were given a unique opportunity to meet some of the state’s hardest working Labradors.
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Guide Dogs Tasmania hosted its first ‘test drive a guide dog’ event in Launceston on Tuesday, with a mix of black and golden Labradors taking part in the day.
Residents aged between 14 and 21 who are considering a guide dog were invited to head along to the Tailrace Centre at Riverside and experience dog handling, leadership, grooming and health care first-hand.
The dogs and their potential new pals had the chance to test out their working relationship with an outside obstacle course set up – teaching the participants basic commands.
Guide Dogs Tasmania services coordinator Kim Ryan said it was a chance to see if working with a guide dog was something they would be interested in doing in the future.
“At a time when all their friends are learning to drive cars and gain independence, often vision impaired teenagers feel left out,” she said.
“We hope that this day provides them with the opportunity to learn more about guide dog mobility, and opens the door to getting their own guide dog licence, so that they too can gain independence in their mobility.”
Ms Ryan said she hopes its the first of many ‘test drive a guide dog’ events.
“Whether they go on to apply for a guide dog in the future or not, we hope this program provides them with the practical skills and knowledge that they need to make a well-informed decision,” she said.
To be eligible for a guide dog from Guide Dogs Tasmania, an applicant must be at least 16 years of age, meet the criteria for legal blindness and be a resident of Tasmania.
“We are going to start running some information sessions for Tasmanians throughout the state, in the North, North-West and in the South, so people can come along and find out information that way,” Ms Ryan said.
For more information or to apply visit guidedogstas.com.au.
Guide Dogs Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation.