Friendship. Freedom. And four paws.

Meet Gene and Orion – a partnership built on trust, training and lots of love.

Gene was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at just four years old during a family game when his Mum noticed something was wrong. Her little one couldn’t see the ball. Or catch it.

As a child, Gene didn’t believe he was visually impaired. He read books, even rode motorbikes in his twenties. Now he has light perception only and lives with his wife Narelle and guide dog Orion –  his fourth beloved companion from us.

At 23, Kenny arrived – Gene’s first “guiding angel.” Kenny stood proudly at Gene’s wedding. Then came Hurricane, Opo, and now Orion. When each dog retired, Gene adopted them. Because family is looked after for life.

Your support means Kiwis like Gene, with the support of a guide dog, can safely navigate the world with more confidence and independence. Daily walks can be treacherous with fallen branches, bins, road cones and cracked pavements – hazards thousands of Kiwis with vision loss navigate every day.

“You trust your life in their paws to take you somewhere,” he says. Gene sums up what Orion provides in one word: “Freedom.”

Thanks to your generosity, wonderful partnerships like these are possible.

Donate now.