It costs $30,000 to train each Seeing Eye Dog and with no goventment funding we rely solely on doantion from the Australian community and buisness word to provided Seeing Eye Dogs as dog guides, the gift of independance to someone who is blind or vision impaired

To sponsor a puppy costs as little as $1 a day (which is tax deductible) The satisfaction of contributing to a top class partnership between a special dog guide and an Australian who is blind.

Workplace giving is a Government endorsed, simple and effective way for employees to regularly donate to Seeing Eye Dogs Australia through automated payroll deductions.

SEDA Volunteers can assist us in areas such as Community Education including public speaking talks at schools and groups. These visits are vital to our future and if we have the commitment of volunteers, we will be able to expand this initiative and talk to more people about what we do and the importance of our services.

SEDA Volunteers can assist us in areas such as Community Education including talks at schools and to groups. These visits are vital to our future and if we have the commitment of volunteers, we will be able to expand this initiative and talk to more people about what we do and the importance of our services

For a person who is blind, a Seeing Eye Dog is often essential in enabling them to be independent and active within the community. Their dog can provide mobility and security that might otherwise be threatened by everyday obstacles

For a person who is blind, a Seeing Eye Dog is often essential in enabling them to be independent and active within the community. Their dog can provide mobility and security that might otherwise be threatened by everyday obstacles

Our Collection Dog Program is growing and we are looking for new volunteers who can donate one day a month to assist us and maintain the program within their own community. For a person who is blind, a Seeing Eye Dog is often essential in enabling them to be independent and active within the community. Their dog can provide mobility and security that might otherwise be threatened by everyday obstacles

We need your help and support to continue. It costs approximately $30,000 and takes up to two years of intensive training for one Seeing Eye Dog to graduate with a client.

To enhance the mobility and independence of people who are blind or vision impaired throughout Australia by providing Seeing Eye Dogs, mobility training and rehabilitation services free of charge.

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) is the only national trainer and provider of Seeing Eye Dogs in Australia and has been helping people who are blind or vision impaired for 49 years. These unique dogs provide the ‘gift of independence’ and freedom in day-to-day life by becoming the ‘eyes’ of a person who is blind or vision impaired. Right now there are 480,000 Australians aged over 40 with considerable vision impairment and 50,000 of these people are legally blind. At SEDA, we do not receive any government funding so our work depends solely on the goodwill and support of our volunteers and donors to provide dogs as guides.

The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) was formed in 1989 and now comprises 84 member schools around the World. First and foremost, membership of the IGDF enables Seeing Eye and Guide Dog Schools around the world to join a community dedicated to serving blind and vision impaired. Membership of the IGDF provides access to a wide network of experienced professionals in this field of work who share a similar philosophy and attitude towards clients and dogs. These professionals are setting, reviewing, and improving standards to develop the service given to blind and vision impaired people throughout the world.

Mrs Gration believed strongly in providing independent travel for people who are blind or vision impaired. She promoted maximising the dogs training to guide under direction of the handler (the person who is blind or vision impaired) on and off public transport, to locate a seat and the entry and exit points of a facility. Mrs Gration believed this would enhance the safe and independent travel of people who are blind and vision impaired. Another notable part of the training is the way a Seeing Eye dog handler keeps their dog under tables and chairs when they are not working. This helps prevent members of the public tripping over the dog, which can lead to injury both of the person and the dog. Our Clients quite often have members of the public comment “I didn’t know you had a dog with you because it was so quiet and not in anybody’s way”.

For a person who is blind, a Seeing Eye Dog is often essential in enabling them to be independent and active within the community. Their dog can provide mobility and security that might otherwise be threatened by everyday obstacles

At Seeing Eye Dogs Australia our mission is to improve the quality of the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired by the provision of a trained Seeing Eye Dog. This puts the individual Client at the centre of what we do, because it is only by working in partnership with our service users that we are able to understand whether we are meeting our aim of improving lives. We have also found that by giving our Clients the opportunity to really comment on what we do, we are able to improve our service and make it more meaningful to the people we help.

When you are with a person who is blind or vision impaired....... Please Don't Distract, feed or pat a working Seeing Eye Dog. Be afraid to offer assistance to people who are blind or tell them about something needing attention. Be afraid to use the words "blind' or 'see' with a person who is blind. Don't hold back on visual descriptions - it's valued. Please do Speak directly to the person. Imagine if you were blind and people only spoke to your Seeing Eye Dog and ignored you! Remember that Seeing Eye Dogs are legally allowed access to all public places, shops, restaurants, hotels, taxis and public transport. When showing persons who are blind to a chair, place his/her hand on the back of the chair. Leave all doors fully open or closed, never ajar.

Vision Radio Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is proud to be a partner with Vision Radio 1179 AM on the dial each and every Thursday evening from 8.30pm. Presenter Paul Roberts from Seeing Eye Dogs Australia showcases guests from all parts of Australia who share their stories with him and their audience. Paul is also joined by newly graduated Clients of Seeing Eye Dogs together with our valued Puppy Carers who have great stories about the adventures of their little charges. Please join them every Thursday evening for an insightful and entertaining segment.

We only collect personal information that is necessary to carry out our fundraising appeals. Personal information held by us may include your name, address, any previous addresses, telephone or mobile phone number, e-mail address, donation details, and a supporter number. It is your choice whether you choose to provide all or some of this personal information – your choice may affect the way in which we communicate with you.

The puppy caring program requires volunteers to care for a puppy in their home from the age of 8 weeks until they are approximately 12-18 months of age. Under the guidance of a SEDA puppy supervisor, puppies are taught basic obedience, house manners, socialised and trained to walk on lead in a relaxed manner with many of the commands they will use as a fully trained dog guide, Seeing Eye Dog.

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is urgently in need of 35 loving homes for puppies in metropolitan Melbourne. It's very rewarding being a volunteeer puppy carer for a Seeing Eye Dog.... that's why so many of our puppy carers have cared for as many as 3,4 or 5 pups already. Knowing that a pup you helped train is working with someone who is blind or vision impaired is indescribable and your dedication to Seeing Eye Dogs Australia has helped change the life of a Australian in need.

Our Seeing Eye Dog puppies are placed in homes at 8 weeks of age where they stay until they are approximately12 months old, at which time they come into the Kennels to begin their formal training. During their time in the home they are taught basic obedience, to walk on the left hand side, and to eat and go to the toilet on command...

For the right person, getting a Seeing Eye Dog can have a huge and postive impact on the quality of their lives and Seeing Eye Dogs Australia would like to provide trained dogs to all appropriate individuals. However, it is important that all the implications of having a dog are understood. When you take one of our dogs you become responsible for all aspects of the health and well being of the dog, and also take on a responsibilty in respect of the behaviour expected by the public. Every person with a Seeing Eye Dog is something of an ambassdor for every other peson with a Seeing Eye Dog. Seeing Eye Dogs are expected to live in the house with you, often they sleep in peoples bedrooms, but this isn't a requirement, but you will need to expect that the dog will shed hair in your house, although this can be kept to a minimum by a good diet and regular grooming.

Our teenagers are ready to graduate. Can they move in with you for their final six months of training? We’ll collect them for school and drop them home after class. Your after school caring will someday help give an Australian who is blind independence for life. Seeing Eye Dogs Australia are seeking Temporary Boarders for their special dogs who are about to commence their final six months of intensive training to qualify as a Seeing Eye Dog.

For a person who is blind, a Seeing Eye Dog is often essential in enabling them to be independent and active within the community. Their dog can provide mobility and security that might otherwise be threatened by everyday obstacles

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia provides independence and mobility to Australians who are blind by breeding and training Seeing Eye Dogs. There are many wonderful people who enable us to provide these services by helping us to care for our dogs. Our working dogs are sourced from our "in-house" breeding program. Our breeding dogs live in family homes where they enjoy all the comforts provided by their Breeder Carer. There are a few requirements that must be met, but this is only to ensure our dogs get "the best of everything".

When out of harness the dog in effect becomes a pet dog, but there are some important differences. Playing with balls and sticks shouldn't be encouraged as it can cause breakdown in the dog's work. The dog can be a member of the family, but it must primarily always be the Clients dog and not too attached to other family members. The client should maintain the control of the dog and family members must respect this. Many different people giving the dog commands may become confusing, buy when anybody does need to giving commands to the dog they must be the correct ones. When out of harness, friends and family can pat and play with the dog, with the owner's permission.

It usually takes 4 - 5 weeks for the Client and Seeing Eye Dog to begin to work effectively together as a team.

Remember, every dollar we raise for each Seeing Eye Dog raffle goes towards training more Seeing Eye Dogs for Australians who are blind or vision

Sunday November 18th will surly be a day to remember, Bring your family over to our place and take a grand tour of our puppy training school and watch dogs of all ages working, from pups in our breeding centre to qualified Seeing Eye Dogs with Australians who are blind or vision impaired.

Wednesday 29th April is an International Day of Celebration for Seeing Eye Dogs – a day to celebrate the important role of our special dogs and giving SEDA the opportunity to show off the great work they do.

Paws for a moment. Seeing Eye Dogs Australia Newsletter