26.07.24: Proud official nutrition partner of Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs, Royal Canin, is calling on Australians to support the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal as we come to the final weeks of the campaign, with donations on the 27th July being matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000.
The Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs appeal has funded more than 125 Seeing Eye Dogs since 2014. This year, Royal Canin has donated $50,000 to fund the first Seeing Eye Dogs pup for the 2024 Appeal.
Seeing Eye Dogs provide vital support, constant companionship, independence and contribute to an all-round better quality of life for people in our community who are blind or have low vision. Right now, there are more than 430,000 Australians living with vision impairment, making it an important initiative to help those affected and eligible to live life with confidence.
In Australia, 10 percent of the people who have vision conditions are blind, while 90 per cent have low vision[1]. And while the perception is that blindness and low vision mainly affects older people, 2.3 per cent of the Australian population aged 35-54 are blind or have low vision compared to those aged 55-64 which is 0.9 per cent[2].
To understand how low vision can present, people may experience tunnel vision, where their field of view is restricted to something akin to looking through a telescope. They can often be sensitive to bright lights and sunshine, experiencing a prolonged sensation similar to having a camera flash go off in your face and their eyes can take longer to adjust to changes in lighting. Vision Australia clients with low vision often rely on their Seeing Eye Dogs, especially at night.
It takes two years to turn a puppy into a fully trained Seeing Eye Dog. It’s hard work but it’s worth it because the difference is genuinely life-changing. With donation support, one of these special pups can become a loyal companion for someone who is blind or has low vision, with every donation, big or small, counting.
Kim Rulach, Senior Puppy Development Trainer and spokesperson from Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs says:
“Australia, we are always on the lookout for support, year-round, to train more Seeing Eye Dogs. However, this month especially, with the added support of our partners in the Petbarn Foundation, is an especially important one for us. Right now, many people need a Seeing Eye Dog by their side to open up their world and help them be more independent. But we know, the reality is that there are not enough resources to train puppies for everyone who needs one.
“That’s why this weekend we are excited for the double donation drive, with every dollar matched for dollar, up to $100,000, thanks to naming sponsors the Petbarn Foundation.”
“We know making a donation may be out of reach for some and that's ok. There are other ways to show your care. Did you know you can become a Seeing Eye Dogs puppy carer? You can help provide a stable home and basic training for the next generation of Seeing Eye Dogs, for the first 12 months of their lives,” added Ms Rulach.
Royal Canin ANZ Sustainability and Partnership Manager, Dean Richardson, says Royal Canin is also excited to extend its long-term commitment to the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs appeal, as the official nutrition partner of choice for Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs.
“As a longtime supporter of the Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs for close to two decades, we’ve been able to feed hundreds of dogs going through the Seeing Eye Dogs program and be a long-term contributor to the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal, helping contribute to the $1 million fundraising goal. That’s the equivalent of training 20 more dogs for people who are blind or have low vision, which we are grateful to be part of.”
“But we know the work never stops and more dogs will always be needed to support those living with vision impairment, or total vision loss. Our work is just getting started. That’s why we are encouraging Australians to help make a difference for Australians who are blind or have low vision by donating through the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal via your nearest Petbarn store during the month of July or donating online, as every little bit helps. We have donated $50,000 to start the appeal and help continue the work in this space.
“These highly trained dogs with unique abilities, play an incredible role supporting their handlers, and they deserve the high-quality nutrition that supports their development, growth and cognitive abilities. Particularly in the puppy phase, where they go through rapid growth, they need precise nutrition to support growing bones and muscles, whilst helping develop their digestive and immune systems. When the storeroom is full of Royal Canin food, it’s always a proud moment for our team,” added Mr Richardson.
The Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal ends on 5 August.
[1] Vision Australia https://www.visionaustralia.org/news/when-you-dont-feel-blind-enough-nothings-limits-podcast
[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1386037/australia-share-of-population-with-complete-or-partial-blindness-by-age-group/
ENDS.
