Carol Smith has low vision that means it’s difficult for her to navigate everyday life without assistance. She was paired with Bailey, a seeing eye dog sponsored by generous donations from Petbarn customers. In this guest blog post, she tells us of her experience.

How can a two-year-old Labrador change your life?

My seeing eye dog Bailey bounded into my home and heart some months ago with a mission to destroy my frustration at not having the mobility and freedom that comes with a seeing eye dog. Thankfully, I had only to wait six months for my perfect match and we clicked at our very first meeting.

When matching a dog and handler, various qualities are considered. Pace, stride, temperament, workload and lifestyle are some factors taken into account. When I first met Bailey, he was much smaller than my previous four seeing eye dogs and oh so much more playful, bouncy and awkward. Then the harness went over his head and he became my eyes, my guide, my independence and confidence.

Bailey devours his soft toys, sticks his hefty head into every rubbish bin and whips everything off the coffee table with a sweep of his tail – that is when he’s not lying centre stage with all four legs in the air and snoring like a freight train. But that’s all when he’s out of harness. Once in working mode, gone is the awkward, inelegant behaviour.

We begin each day with a brisk walk. My neighbourhood has a variety of routes with different interests and challenges for both Bailey and I. One of our walks passes numerous building sites and requires concentration as we negotiate cement trucks, tractors and closed footpaths. Bailey loves this route; his tail wags constantly as he guides me around the obstacles and dangers.

Getting past this yard was a nightmare at first, but brave little Bailey now strides by with a superior air as we head back toward the boom gates over the railway track. Yes, we cross an antiquated railway crossing and my boy walks me steadily over the exposed tracks and wags his tail furiously once the frightening experience is over.

Bailey locates every curb and sits to await my command to go forward, back, left or right. He also finds crossings, post boxes, seats, lifts, and stairs as well as many other places and items. We travel on all modes of transport regularly, with confidence and independence.

When I think of the generosity of customers at companies like Petbarn, coupled with the expert training by Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) I choke up with emotion. How can I thank such kindness? Without Petbarn and SEDA, I would live a frustrated, immobile life. My sincere thanks to each and every one involved.

Help people like Carol be paired with seeing eye dogs like Bailey. Visit our SEDA information page to learn more or to donate via The Pet Foundation, the charitable arm of Petbarn.