Guide Dogs Victoria

Ever wondered what it's like to work at Guide Dogs Victoria? Meet some of our staff members and go behind the scenes to explore a day in the life of Guide Dogs!

This week, we welcomed some special guests from Huikuang Guide Dog Foundation Taiwan (HGDFT) 🐾 Our partnership with HGDFT dates back over 30 years with John Gosling AM. John has dedicated a lifetime to Guide Dogs Australia and has extended his knowledge overseas, fostering a strong bond with Guide Dogs Taiwan. John started working with Guide Dogs Australia in 1971 and in 1996, played a pivotal role in helping the foundation train Taiwan’s first Guide Dog. John’s valuable contributions have supported thousands of people living with low vision or blindness in Taiwan, and continues to support our work to this day. During their stay, our guests had the chance to meet the team, explore our redeveloped Campus, observe our Guide Dog training, interact with our dedicated Puppy Raisers, and learn about our breeding and Client programs. Thank you to our guests from Haikuang Guide Dog Foundation Taiwan. We are incredibly grateful for our relationships with international organisations and only hope to strengthen our connections moving forward. [Image Description One: From L to R: Wayne Wang (Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), Dr Russell Harrison (GDV GM of Guide Dog and Vision Services), Juliana (Director of Training Services and GDMI), Emily (Huikang Guide Dog Foundation), Mr Han (President and CEO of Institute for Blind, Taiwan), Nicky Long (Guide Dogs Victoria CEO), John Gosling and Aaron Horsington (GDV Guide Dog Services Manager). All standing outside Guide Dogs Victoria reception entrance, smiling at the camera.]. [Image Description Two: From L to R: Mr Han holding a black Labrador puppy, Juliana holding a yellow Labrador puppy, Emily holding a yellow Labrador puppy at our Kew Nursery.]

Last week, our team had the privilege to be part of an exclusive Morning Tea and Presentation at Cranlana, by courtesy of Lady Marigold Southey AC. With its rich history and inspired architecture, we were thrilled to have shared this experience with our dedicated supporters and volunteers, making a memorable event for all. Our heartfelt thanks goes to the wonderful Lady Marigold Southey AC for giving us the opportunity to experience her unique family home and one-of-a-kind gardens. #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: Guide Dogs Victoria CEO, Nicky Long sitting alongside Lady Marigold Southey AC in the gardens of Cranlana. Lady Marigold Southey AC is holding a yellow Labrador puppy, all smiling at the camera.] [Image Description Two: Nicky Long stands alongside Lady Marigold Southey AC with two attendees in the gardens of Cranlana, all smiling at one another.] [Image Description Three: Cranlana Estate. The property is a beautiful blend of white exterior and green landscape, large windows and white shutters.] [Image Description Four: A group of attendees stands in the gardens of Cranlana, some sheltered under a white umbrella. In the foreground, a yellow Labrador with an orange coat sleeps peacefully in the grass.]

This week, as we celebrate Occupational Therapy Week (21 to 27 October), let’s meet Occupational Therapists (OTs), Yvonne and Lea! Our OTs play a crucial role in helping Clients with low vision or blindness perform everyday tasks and achieve their personal goals. From offering support in using adaptive technology, managing household tasks, and ensuring safe navigation at home and in the community, our team of OTs are committed to enhancing confidence and independence! ‘My favourite part of my role is helping Clients with their cooking skills, so working in the kitchen to help gradually build up their skills with small aids and strategies’ Yvonne shares. Lea continues to say, ‘I enjoy meeting all types of people from various age groups, and learning about their life and developing strategies to achieve their goals. Even as simple as catching up over a coffee, is something I love about my role as an OT.’ Outside of work, you’ll find Yvonne training for her next triathlon while Lea works on a new album with her band! Learn more about our OT services here: https://lnkd.in/gBCqPUJz #GuideDogsVictoria #OTWeek2024 #80YearsofConnection [Image Description One: Occupational Therapist Yvonne kneeling next to a yellow Labrador in a patch of grass as she smiles at the camera.] [Image Description Two: Occupational Therapist Lea holding a yellow Labrador puppy in her arms as she smiles at the camera.]

Happy International White Cane Day! Today, we invited Clients to join us on-campus to celebrate with a morning tea and sensory walk through our beautiful garden. Our sensory garden offers different pavers and textures, musical instruments and a pond with a waterfall feature, providing a serene space to connect with nature and enhance their sensory experiences. Guests were also invited to explore our Assistive Technology Expo showcasing the latest cutting-edge equipment designed to enhance the lives of those with low vision or blindness. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this special day. Your participation made it a truly memorable occasion! #InternationalWhiteCaneDay #JoinTheMovement #GuideDogsVictoria [Image Description One: A group of Clients walking along a gravel path in our sensory garden, holding their white canes. To the left is a patch of grass with a fenced off pond in the background.] [Image Description Two: An outdoor pond featuring a waterfall, stone edged walls and various plants scattered in the water.] [Image Description Three: A Pacific Vision staff member standing next to a branded table, displaying various vision assistive technology.]

Let’s meet some of our latest graduates 🎓 Congratulations to Jun, Ethel, Nara and Lady who each received their Guide Dog harnesses as well as Millie, who received her Ambassador Dog coat. Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our incredible Puppy Raisers, Carers and Guide Dog Trainers who have played an important role in raising and training these special dogs. Without their great efforts and support, this special milestone would not be possible. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact these incredible dogs will have in their new roles! #GuideDogsVictoria

Join Guide Dogs Victoria’s CEO Nicky Long on The Great Otway National Park Trek! The “Guide My Way” trek is a 4-day tour, walking some of the highlights of the iconic Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to Port Campbell. Each step you take across this breathtaking landscape will help support Victorians who are blind or have low vision. Travel Dates: 14 to 17 March 2025 Group size: Maximum of 10 guests and 2 guides Interesting in joining us on this incredible journey? Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4gXxOJW #GuideDogsVictoria #ParkTrek #GuideMyWay

Thankyou for visiting Paku Sun - Yoshiko Park, Chief Executive Guide Dog, Hearing Dog & Service Dogs, Association of Japan (Yokohama, Japan). It was an honour for us to host one of our sister schools. Our team spent the week discussing our long standing relationship and the work we plan to do. Sharing knowledge and experience in our International region has been a long held value of Guide Dogs Victoria in support of the community. We are looking forward to strengthening this into the future 🐾 Image description: two women facing the camera with a black Labrador dog sitting between them. The women are smiling. The woman on the left is wearing a light blue jacket and has dark hair. The woman on the right is wearing a light pink jacket with light hair. On the wall behind is picture of a blonde coloured Guide Dog in hardness with a handler.

Join the GDV team! https://lnkd.in/gPH_nEhP

Last month, our team proudly hosted their very first Secondary-School aged Mobility Program in their brand-new residential training facility – supported by Perpetual’s 2023 Impact Philanthropy. Participants were fully immersed in a wide range of fun and challenging experiences both on and off-site, including music, arts and entertainment. From cooking in the fully accessible training kitchen and tandem bike rides around Campus to touring the city, navigating public transport and enjoying a chocolate tour, arcade games and a shop at Woolworths; all attendees learned key skills to get familiar with different experiences. Our Orientation and Mobility staff, as well as Occupational Therapy staff were also on-site to provide additional support and foster positive connections with the participants. The overnight program was also a great opportunity for participants to make new friends, connecting with other teenagers who understand what it’s like to live with low vision or blindness. This is only one of the many incredible programs we have coming up for Clients of all ages. Keep up to date with Guide Dogs Victoria events and programs here: https://bit.ly/4eXicnI #GuideDogsVictoria