MERCURY SERIES - Making A Difference
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When Rhiannon McLeish was placed with her new seeing eye dog Kingy in March it was the start of a new chapter in her life.
Her introduction to the 20-month-old labrador-retriever allowed her to regain independence in all aspects of life.
Ms McLeish lives on her own and loves having Kingy as a companion.
She also calls him Monkey because he loves to eat bananas and he enjoys receiving affection as much as giving it.
Ms McLeish has previously studied disability services at TAFE and plans to resume her studies because Kingy has made such a positive impact on her life.
She is now more confident to navigate her way around campus and that has given her renewed enthusiasm.
"Kingy is my second seeing eye dog," she said.
"I had another one for 18 months. Petra was retired due to medical problems."
Ms McLeish also volunteers for Vision Australia and says her ideal job would be work in advocacy for people with disabilities.
One clear need she has identified is for more Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) puppy sponsors, so more dogs are available for people like her.
Ms McLeish did not lose her sight until she was an adult and knows without the generosity of SEDA's puppy sponsors the union she has developed with Kingy would not have been possible.
It costs $30,000 to breed and train just one seeing eye dog, all of which is matched to a client at no cost.
With no government funding, each seeing eye dog is funded purely by donations, corporate sponsorship and individual sponsors.
"I've only been without sight for the past four years," Ms McLeish said. "I lost it gradually over two years."
Ms McLeish knows Kingy would not have been able to give her more independence and confidence if it had not been for a puppy sponsor.
"For me it is mostly about mobility," she said.
"Being able to go across the road by myself, go shopping ... or go to TAFE and do things is the most important thing. There are some places where you just can't use a cane. I can just put Kingy's harness on and we can go anywhere."
Ms McLeish said the only problem she had was people wanting to pat Kingy all the time when he was working.
"They say it takes about 12 months to settle into a proper working routine," she said.
"Kingy and I go through an intensive training routine. For four weeks we do three or four walks a day to learn routines and behavioural patterns and feeding times. SEDA try to match you up as best they can with personality and I think they have done a really good job with Kingy."
Ms McLeish said she often heard comments from children about how they weren't able to bring their dog into the supermarket. One elderly gentleman had even tried to put a coin in Kingy's head.
But Kingy has taken it all in his stride and Ms McLeish knows that wouldn't have been possible without the extensive training and a puppy sponsor.