Consider holding an event or fundraiser with your team to show your support on International Guide Dog Day for our low vision communities.
A ‘tail’ to tell on our 35th International Guide Dog Day
Apr 23, 2024International Guide Dog Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in April, meaning this year’s awareness day will be 24 April.
Guide Dog Day marks the establishment of the International Federation of Guide Dog Associations on the 26 April 1989.
Guide Dogs Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the work of guide dogs around the world and raise awareness of the importance of guide dog services to help people who are blind or have low vision live life on their terms.
Here are some interesting facts and stats:
- In 2022 there were a total of 20,291 registered working Guide Dogs
- A guide dog is able to access all areas of a hospital with the exception of food prep areas and operating theatres.
- The first guide dogs originated in Britan in 1931
- Only approximately 50 per cent of dogs qualify at the end of their training to become a guide dog.
Help celebrate International Guide Dogs Day
Consider holding an event or fundraiser with your team to show your support, a morning tea or lunch is a great way to get together with colleagues and encourage discussions about this topic.
To raise awareness and improve education in this space, NSW Health, Guide Dogs NSW and Blue Sky Community Services recently joined forces to develop a vision awareness film.
This film was developed as part of the Inclusion in the Health system project and will soon be available on the MNCLHD YouTube channel.
Taking the time to view this resource supports your professional development, but more importantly it builds capacity to provide better care to patients from our low vision communities.
If you would like more information about supporting people with disability or the NDIS, please reach out to a Disability Healthcare Specialist.
They are ready to assist you.
Sarah: sarahmongan@health.nsw.gov.au
Charity: charityhoneysett@health.nsw.gov.au