THE next generation of guide dogs had a very important guest recently, when Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley, visited the at the Guide Dogs Centre at Glossodia in her new role as Patron of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Her Excellency toured the centre's world class breeding and training facilities, where Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has run its own specialised guide dog breeding program since 2011.
It takes two years and costs $50,000 to breed, raise and train each guide dog.
"As the state's leading provider of services that enable people with blindness and low vision to lead safe and independent lives, and stay connected to their communities, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has a longstanding relationship with the office of the Governor of NSW," said Dale Cleaver, CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT."
To mark the special occasion, Her Excellency was presented to a yellow, male, eight-week-old Guide Dog puppy, named 'Beazley' in her honour.
"Beazley is a happy, energetic, and outgoing puppy who loves to explore in the puppy enrichment area. This bodes well for a future Guide Dog as it shows the enthusiasm, confidence and drive that a Guide Dog needs to safely guide their handler," Mr Cleaver said.
Beazley will soon be placed with his puppy raising family, based in the Newcastle area, who will provide him with a warm, loving home during his first year.
In the last year, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT expanded its puppy raising program outside the Sydney metropolitan area to Canberra, Wollongong and Newcastle.
