Canine grads ready to guide their masters

TODAY marks a special day for Bunbury residents Richard Oxley, Eric Hovell and Susan Wood.

The trio, who all have various eye conditions, will graduate with their new guide dogs Oscar, Patton and Bohdi at a Babbingur Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony at Koombana Bay Sailing Club.

Mr Oxley has been totally blind for most of his life after being diagnosed with retinoblastoma at age three.

He described having a guide dog as ‘‘a lifechanging experience’’ and is hoping he can now reach a life-long ambition.

‘‘Having a guide dog has given me an untold amount of independence,’’ Mr Oxley said.

‘‘It has given me the ability to reach the next goal that I want to achieve — to walk from Bunbury to Broken Hill in New South Wales to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.’’

Mr Hovell is a first-time guide dog user and has a genetic condition called Liebers Optic Atrophy, with his eyesight deteriorating over time.

He said his female labrador had given him a new lease on life.

Ms Wood has been using a long cane for more than 10 years but eye specialists have been unable to diagnose the cause of her vision loss.

She said getting a guide dog was ‘‘the best decision I’ve made in my life’’.

It costs about $30,000 and takes two years to train each guide dog.

The Association for the Blind of WA is reliant on the support of the community to fund its guide dog program, with guide dogs provided free of charge to people who are blind or severely vision impaired.