Our Stories

lady and guide dog in training in a hotelAutism Assistance DogsNews
April 6, 2021

Guide Dogs Can Go Anywhere

Just as hearing aids, wheelchairs and crutches enable people to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives, Guide Dogs do the very same thing. International Guide Dog Day is on…
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Little boy smiling, and laying next to a pet dogAutism Assistance DogsNews
March 23, 2021

Lucas waits for an Autism Assistance Dog

Lucas is a little six-year-old boy who is currently on our waitlist for an Autism Assistance Dog. He lives with his mum, dad and big brother in the north of…
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plastic medicine filesNews
March 3, 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

VisAbility Ltd (owner and operator of Guide Dogs Tasmania) supports the Australian government’s COVID-19 vaccination program and is staying up-to-date with the latest program information released by the Australian Department…
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a pup and a young boy in a kayakNewsPuppy Raising
March 1, 2021

Setting a pup up for life

“What I’m offering is an opportunity to add value to someone else’s life, someone who needs him more than I do.” It’s been 20 years since she raised her last…
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smiling young boy next to a dog in at shirtNewsTherapy Dogs
March 1, 2021

Grady the Therapy Dog

Thanks to our wonderful supporters, beautiful black Labrador Grady is changing the lives of Tasmanian children and their families.  Raised as a Guide Dog puppy in Hobart, Grady’s career path…
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a smiling lady sitting behind a dogNewsSponsorship
March 1, 2021

A selfless act of kindness

“To the people who receive one of these special dogs, it opens up a whole new world; giving them a chance to work, participate in society and to live a…
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dog with his handlers hands resting on himClient & Dog StoriesNews
March 1, 2021

Clinton and Frankie

“We’re still in early days and I feel like there’s more we can do. But Frankie is a great companion and such a big part of my life now.” When…
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four young people standing next to Guide DogsNews
February 10, 2021

Test drive a Guide Dog camp

"It was delightful to see the kids come out of their shells, to have fun, and share their stories and experiences with their peers." In January 2021 we held Tasmania's…
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smiling lady looking at her Guide DogClient & Dog StoriesNews
November 29, 2020

Karen and Taylor

“I was staying at home and I didn’t want to go out and talk to people. I had no idea just how isolated I had become.”  Before being placed with…
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smiling lady looking at the cameraNews
November 4, 2020

Support our pups can count on

“I’m so pleased to be a Puppy Love Member, knowing my small, regular donations help these incredible puppies on their journey to transform someone’s life.”   Thanks to Puppy Love Members like Hazel, a regular stream…
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smiling woman with a guide dogNews
November 4, 2020

A constant companion

“I found myself relying on Pepper as a friend and companion more than ever before.” It has been a challenging year but thanks to your support Tasmanians like Sara who live with blindness or…
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News
November 2, 2020

Volunteers welcomed back

“I felt a bit lost for a while. But I understood the precautions that were being taken and knew it wouldn’t last forever. I was just counting down the days until I could be back at Guide Dogs…
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Smiling lady with a black dog wearing a motarboardNews
October 19, 2020

2020 Graduation Ceremony

Video credit: Domin8 Media Guide Dogs Tasmania recently celebrated our 2020 Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony.  Thanks to the generous support of the community, we had seven beautiful dogs graduating today.…
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dog laying on some flowersNews
September 10, 2020

COVID update

Guide Dogs Tasmania is closely monitoring developments in relation to COVID-19  and we are acting on the advice of health authorities and state government. Our Hobart office is operating as…
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dog in a training coatNews
September 10, 2020

Benji finds his true calling

“I hope the people who put all that work into raising and training him can see just what a difference he’s making.” Shelley, Doorways Program Facilitator Benji came to Guide…
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a line of feet of collection model dogsNews
September 10, 2020

Old dogs, new tricks

“I'm thrilled to keep part of our history alive, and share them with generations to come.” Kristy, Community Fundraising Coordinator Our Collection Dogs program is back up and running and…
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Dog under deskNews
September 10, 2020

Resourcefulness and resilience help us through COVID

“Having dogs at home was so valuable to many of us, lessening the isolation and keeping us more connected with community interested in the work we were doing and offering…
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happy lady with a dogVolunteer Stories
July 28, 2020

Zoe’s story

Q&A with our volunteer, Zoe Can you tell us a bit about the volunteering roles you have done with Guide Dogs Tasmania? I’ve been volunteering with Guide Dogs Tasmania for…
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picture of a smiling ladyVolunteer Stories
July 28, 2020

Shen’s story

Q&A with our volunteer, Shen Can you tell us a bit about the volunteering roles you have done with Guide Dogs Tasmania? I started out as a fundraising event volunteer…
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dog nose next to box of coffeeNews
July 21, 2020

Coffee that changes lives

Delicious, premium, eco-friendly coffee Guide Dogs Tasmania has partnered with Australis Coffee to bring you delicious, premium, eco-friendly coffee, which will help raise and train Guide and Assistance Dogs, right here…
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a client with a black dogClient & Dog Stories
July 16, 2020

Wayne and Elly

The start of a beautiful new relationship  Devoted black Labrador, Elly, has changed Wayne Pollard’s life in just a few short weeks. When Wayne, a truck driver, developed blurred vision…
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a smiling woman and man with a dogNews
July 16, 2020

A life-changing experience

“It’s very worthwhile... it’s given us so much as well. It really is a lovely experience.” They may only live with them for a comparatively short time, but the pups…
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CalebNews
January 22, 2020

The gift of time and talent

Sometimes in life, fate, fortune or plain good luck brings people into our lives just when we need them the most.  We at Guide Dogs Tasmania are still pinching ourselves;…
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Kids DogClient & Dog Stories
January 22, 2020

Max and Riley

Max was having up to three very physical meltdowns a week. For Max’s mum, Melanie, these meltdowns often meant black eyes and fat lips. “There would be yelling and screaming...…
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HarveyClient & Dog Stories
January 22, 2020

Emily and Harvey

Emily Pettit has always been shy but now, with Guide Dog Harvey by her side, she is a young woman on a mission to share information and spread understanding in…
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Anne BillyClient & Dog Stories
January 22, 2020

Anne and Billie

 “Having Billie makes the world feel much friendlier, because before, it was all about obstacles, whereas now, it’s just about freedom.” Anne had been using a cane for several years…
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MichaelPuppy Development
January 22, 2020

Michael’s story

Puppy Boarding can be a great soft entry point into dog ownership, and an invaluable way give back to your community. Guide Dog Boarder, Michael Sims, has welcomed many pups…
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Lady and dogPuppy DevelopmentPuppy Raising
January 22, 2020

Dee’s story

I just wouldn't be able to hand a pup back! This is something we hear regularly when it comes to raising a Guide Dog pup, but this is the glass-half-empty…
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woman wearing a blindfold walking with a Guide Dog and manPuppy Development
January 22, 2020

Sue’s story

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to navigate the world without little or no vision? Having raised six puppies for Guide Dogs Tasmania, Sue McConnell has given the matter…
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Man and dogVolunteer Stories
January 22, 2020

Rob’s story

Guide Dogs Tasmania is so thankful for our amazing team of volunteers After struggling with his mental health for a number of years, the 27-year-old from Launceston looked into volunteering…
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MerranGift in Will Stories
January 22, 2020

Merran’s story

Merran Thurley has made the ultimate gift that will one day give someone the joy of a Guide Dog. “Guide Dogs have been such a big part of my life,…
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Philip WhiteheadGift in Will Stories
January 22, 2020

Philip’s story

“One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade.” - Chinese proverb Philip Whitehead’s generosity today will help give independence, safety and community connection to Tasmanians he may never meet,…
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Mrs SelfGift in Will Stories
January 22, 2020

Barbara’s story

Thank you Barbara Self In 2016, Barbara Self attended a graduation ceremony that had a lasting impression on her. It was the first official graduation ceremony held by Guide Dogs…
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