Guide Dog Puppy Appeal
Hundreds of New Zealanders hope to one day be paired with their own guide dog, and to do that, Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs needs your help.
It costs around $175,000 to raise, train and keep one guide dog in service and the organisation receives no government funding.
With the help of donations, Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs can continue to breed and train the next generation of guide dogs so more blind, deafblind, and low vision New Zealanders can live the lives they choose.
Over the month of March, with your help, we support many fundraising events in the community, raising awareness and funds to support our services (thank you!)
Ethan & Jack
This year’s Guide Dog Puppy Appeal centres around the story of Ethan and his guide dog Jack.
Ethan was born blind, but he was never going to let that stop him. Growing up in a family that encouraged independence, he attended school, joined his school’s national Kapa Haka team, and enrolled in Indigenous Studies at university. Yet despite his determination, the daily reality of navigating the world without sight was relentless.
“It was like I had the keys to the world in front of me. The first time touching him with all his guide dog equipment, I felt like I grew wings.” says Ethan
Ethan gained so much confidence and independence with the help of a guide dog. But Blind Low Vision NZ and people who are blind, deafblind and low vision completely rely on donations from generous people like you, and each guide dog puppy can cost around $100,000 to train. Learn more about Ethan and Jack in the video below.