International Guide Dog Day - 27 April 2011

International Guide Dog Day (IGDD) is recognised on the last Wednesday of April each year around the world by the 72 schools affiliated with the International Guide Dog Federation, to celebrate the unique role a Guide Dog plays in the life of a person who is blind or vision impaired.

Guide Dog handlers achieve a unique level of independence, mobility and freedom through the eyes of a Guide Dog and in Queensland there are currently more than 80 people working with a Guide Dog.

IGDD is an also occasion to highlight the access rights of Guide Dogs – In Queensland, under the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 - Guide Dogs and Guide Dogs-in-training are able to access all public facilities and modes of transport. It an offence to refuse entry to the dog, or trainee dog and their handler.

This April, Guide Dog schools around Australia are staging a series of events throughout the month to celebrate this important occasion. Guide Dogs Queensland will stage our annual Guide Dog Team Graduation ceremony on the grounds of our Breeding and Training Centre at Bald Hills. This invitation event on 19 April recognises the 11 Queenslanders who have qualified in the past 12 months with a Guide Dog. Our Patron the Governor Her Excellency Penelope Wensley AC will present medallions to the recipients and provide a congratulatory message.

The graduates include:

• Justin Coull and Guide Dog 'Vala' of Bellbowrie
• Joe Dilger and Guide Dog 'Willow' of Torquay
• Diane Fortescue and Guide Dog 'Romy' of Browns Plains
• Shayne Fraser and Guide Dog 'William' of Buderim
• Ian Gimm and Guide Dog 'Noah' of Stanthorpe
• Shelley Heaton and Guide Dog 'Velvet' of Mansfield
  
• Lisa Horne and Guide Dog 'Vaughn' of North Ipswich
• Jennea Kitt and Guide Dog 'Summer' of Mooroobool
• Cynthia Molan and Guide Dog 'Vonnie' of Alexandra Hills
• Natasha Phillips and Guide Dog 'Vayda'  of Fairfield
• Darryl Welding and Guide Dog 'Urban' of Bribie Island

This month - Guide Dogs Queensland will aim to raise $30,000 to breed and train a Guide Dog. There are currently 20 Queenslanders on our waiting list for a Guide Dog - this campaign is being supported by Brisbane Radio 97.3FM and donations can be made by clicking here.