Vision loss education has become a thing of right now, with the number of individuals being affected by the disability increasing.
Students from Hobartville Public School had the opportunity to learn about vision impairment when they received a visit from Barbara Bonfield and her guide dog Samara last Wednesday morning, June 25.
Mrs Bonfield spoke to the students about the life she now has thanks to her life-long guide-dog friend Samara and the services which she has accessed through Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
“Vision loss is a challenging disability but the assistance I’ve received from Guide Dogs means I’m able to get out and about and do the things I enjoy,” she said.
“Samara is my fourth guide dog, and each one has played such an important role in enabling me to be independent.”
During her talk, Mrs Bonfield educated the students on the importance of not touching a working guide dog, especially when they are in training.
“When Samara is in harness she is concentrating on guiding me around, so a pat from a member of the public can distract her and put my safety at risk,” she explained.
School principal, Lisa Crawford, praised the talk and the positive effect it had on the students.
