Funding options Get financial support

We offer access to a range of funding channels designed to support you, regardless of your age, vision level or lifestyle. Learn more about the funding options that are available to you, which funding channel may be best suited to your personal situation, and how to apply for financial assistance.

Learn more about your funding options

Get involved Puppy Pals

By making a regular contribution to our Guide Dog training programs, you help adorable puppies grow into highly skilled Guide Dogs.

You will receive regular updates on all of our puppy litters and share in the joys and triumphs of each puppy’s journey towards Guide Dog training.

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Guide dog puppy

Raise a puppy Foster a growing Guide Dog

Raising a puppy involves caring for a potential Guide Dog over a 12 month foster period. The goal is to nurture each puppy so they become well socialised, confident and focussed before training. Puppy raisers receive ongoing support and instructions throughout the foster period. You’ll develop a powerful bond with an amazing animal and play an important role in helping Victorians with low vision.

Learn more Apply now

What are the requirements? A successful puppy raiser will:

  • Live nearby

    You must live in metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong or Ballarat.

  • Dedicate time

    Puppies should not be left alone for more than three hours per day.

  • Provide care

    Puppies require lots of attention for successful training and socialisation.

  • Be moderately physically fit

    Puppy raisers need to manage certain physical, emotional and intellectual demands.

  • Be available to visit our campus

    Vet appointments and puppy raising classes occur on weekdays during business hours.

  • Be available during business hours

    Puppy raisers must meet with Puppy Development Advisors as required.

  • Provide safety

    Puppies need to be safe and secure. This involves appropriate fencing for pools and gardens in the home.

  • Have the use of a registered and insured passenger vehicle

    And be licensed to drive in Victoria.

  • Allow the pup to sleep indoors

    Pups work (and play) hard! They need their rest in a warm and safe environment.

Learn more Julian's story

Why did you want to become a puppy raiser?

Children’s Mobility Services

We all learn how to interact with the world from the day we are born. Children who have low vision or blindness are no different, but need to develop alternative or additional ways of interacting with their environment. These skills are taught through Children’s Mobility Services.

Adult’s Mobility Services

Whether you have experienced long-term low vision, recently acquired a change in vision, or are gradually losing sight, our Adult Mobility Services can offer valuable everyday skills. Designed for you personally, training can include long cane skills, road crossing, use of way-finding technology and the safe access of public transport.

Acquired Brain Injury Mobility Services

Through individual assessment and different forms of training, Acquired Brain Injury Mobility Services teach people of all ages to safely and independently experience the world following a change in vision due to illness or injury of the brain.

Guide Dog Mobility

Guide Dog Mobility Services provide techniques to establish trust and confidence in a Guide Dog. Guide Dogs are carefully matched with your personal characteristics and specific needs to lead you safely through your world.

Occupational Therapist Support

Through the Occupational Therapists support program, our specialists teach people with low vision or blindness to safely and independently perform daily tasks. These can include personal care, domestic duties, and community and recreational activities.

Our services Learn practical skills to live independently

Whatever you need to make your life more independent, we can equip you with the necessary skills. Learn to move confidently through the world with Orientation & Mobility travel training, maximise your remaining vision, master daily living skills with Occupational Therapists, or train and partner with a Guide Dog.

Child holding an ID cane walks with her sister
Two men chatting at train station - one with a cane, one with a Guide Dog
Blind women walking down street
a golden labrador with the harness on his back is sitting in front of green shrubs
Children baking

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