By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong resident and Women with Disabilities Victoria chief executive Nadia Mattiazzo has started the process of retiring her Seeing Eye Dog Olympia after about seven-and-a-half years.
As she prepares to receive a new Seeing Eye Dog, she has encouraged Victorians to dig deep to support the Seeing Eye Dog Appeal.
“This will give new clients the independence that Seeing Eye Dogs can give,” Ms Mattiazzo said.
The Petbarn Foundation and Vision Australia has aimed to raise $1 million to help train 20 Seeing Eye Dogs to support Australians who are blind or low-vision.
Ms Mattiazzo said Olympia first came to her at 22 months and she was now about nine-and-a-half years old.
“It’s a long time to work with a dog,” she said.
Ms Mattiazzo said she was hoping Olympia would be able to live with her new Seeing Eye Dog after retiring from her duties or live with one of her friends.
She said having a Seeing Eye Dog has been an invaluable addition to her life, allowing her to attend events such as Richmond football games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“The things that I am able to do were things I could never contemplate being able to do before,” Ms Mattiazzo said.
Petbarn Foundation manager Janelle Bloxsom said Seeing Eye Dogs provided clients with companionship, helped them overcome social isolation and contributed to a better quality of life.
“Seeing Eye Dogs are so invaluable to the people they are matched with,” she said.
Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs general manager Graeme Craig said training each puppy would cost more than $50,000 and would take up to two years to become fully trained.
“Seeing Eye Dogs need specific training requiring a lot of expertise, time, love and patience to give the person they are matched with independence, confidence and companionship,” he said.
Details: www.petbarn.com.au/seda
