Seeing eye dogs in training take a dip at the Don Road sporting complex.MEMBERS of the Seeing Eye Dogs Paw Pals group took their four legged friends out to lunch when they dined at Giant Steps in Healesville recently.
The group, which organises outings for puppy carers and their pups, enjoyed a wine tasting and later took their pups to the Don Road complex for a run and a swim.
The pups are 11 months old and are due to return to the Seeing Eye Dogs Association (SEDA) for their final six months of intensive training.
Organiser Jeni Conquest lives in Healesville with her pup Zorro and said returning the pups is never easy.
“Even though this is my fourth pup I still find it’s hard to say goodbye,” Ms Conquest said. “Luckily, I am getting another eight-week-old pup straight away.”
Ms Conquest started caring for pups around five years ago when she was newly retired.
“I was looking for something interesting to do and it’s been really wonderful,” she said.
“I keep them for 12 months and then I get a new one and we start all over again.”
Her former pups are now working as professional guide dogs across Australia after being carefully matched with a client.
“The pups have excellent work ethics and are able to rebond once they are let go,” she said. “They probably do better than we do.”
If anyone living in the Healesville area is interested in information about becoming a puppy carer or sponsoring a puppy for as little as $20 a month they should phone Seeing Eye Dogs Australia on 9381 6400.
