About us
Since 1960, Guide Dogs Queensland has provided vital support to help people who are blind or have low vision experience the freedom and independence they deserve.
The story behind the services
While we’re best known for our iconic Guide Dogs, we’re far more than just dogs. Since we were established, our services have grown greatly to become a holistic offering of services tailored to the individual that are designed to help each person achieve their goals.
Thanks to the ongoing support of the community, we are able to help people who have low or no vision become active members of their communities. We do this by teaching people of all ages a range of practical skills that many of us with sight take for granted.
How we help
Our services
We offer personalised training and support programs to help Queenslanders who are blind and vision impaired reach their potential and lead independent and meaningful lives.
Our services include:
- Orientation and Mobility
- Occupational Therapy
- Counselling
- Guide Dog Mobility
- Assistive Technology
- Programs for babies, children and young people
- Support for carers, family and friends.
Guide Dogs Queensland is a leader in the provision of Guide Dogs and mobility services to help people of all ages right across the state.
Our facilities
We have seven offices throughout Queensland in Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Most of our key activities are run through our Training Centre in Brisbane. This centre is designed to help us turn promising puppies into Guide Dogs, as well as provide people with the training they need to be independent and reach their goals.
Our facilities include:
- A Breeding Centre where Guide Dog puppies enter the world and begin their early development.
- Kennels and enrichment yards for dogs undergoing Guide Dog training.
- A Client Residence containing motel-style accommodation and facilities for clients that allows for stays from a few hours up to a few days.
We receive less than 10% government funding, which is why your support is so important. It is only with your help that Queenslanders in need can continue accessing vital programs and receiving Guide Dogs to live full and active lives.
Michael Kightley,
CEO of Guide Dogs QueenslandThe difference our community makes every year
We rely on the ongoing generosity of the community to provide majority of the funding needed to support Queenslanders living with low or no vision every year. Over the past 12 months, our supporters have helped us to achieve some amazing things:
Guide Dogs placed with Queenslanders in need
Visits to regional areas to provide support
Programs delivered to people with low or no vision
Volunteers shared their time and skills
Free clinics and educational expos hosted
Cadetships offered to build our future capacity
Meet some Queenslanders we’ve been able to help
Read Aston’s StoryGuide Dogs Queensland has been a constant source of support, with regular assistance for Aston and help just a phone call away.
Read Jacinta’s StoryI’ve gained a real sense of freedom and independence and confidence. Having ‘Sansa’ is like always having my best friend with me.
Read Roy’s StoryOnce I started working with Guide Dogs and learnt to use a long cane, the anxiety I felt went away and I actually got some of my confidence back.
Read Aston’s StoryGuide Dogs Queensland has been a constant source of support, with regular assistance for Aston and help just a phone call away.
Read Jacinta’s StoryI’ve gained a real sense of freedom and independence and confidence. Having ‘Sansa’ is like always having my best friend with me.
Read Roy’s StoryOnce I started working with Guide Dogs and learnt to use a long cane, the anxiety I felt went away and I actually got some of my confidence back.
Our mission
Through partnership with our stakeholders, Guide Dogs Queensland will provide services which reduce the disadvantage of vision impairment. Our services will assist our clients to achieve their optimal level of mobility.
Our values
Guide Dogs Queensland has a set of core values known as CARES to guide us as an organisation. These values are a reflection of who we are, what we believe in and how we conduct our work:
- We are committed.
- We are accountable.
- We are respectful.
- We are ethical.
- We are successful.
Read more about how Guide Dogs Queensland CARES.
Our accreditation
We are driven by our values to uphold the highest standard of service provision.
Guide Dogs Queensland is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation. Membership enables Guide Dog organisations around the world to unite as a community dedicated to meeting the mobility needs of blind and vision impaired citizens.
Guide Dogs Queensland is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the national regulator of charities in Australia.
Guide Dogs Queensland is certified under all six standards of the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF). The HSQF is the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ system for assessing and promoting improvement in the quality of Client Services.
Guide Dogs is proud to have been named Australia’s Most Trusted Charity Brand for six consecutive years. We received this honour as part of the annual Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands survey, which added us to their charity category in 2013.
Guide Dogs Queensland is a member of Vision2020, the national body working in partnership to prevent avoidable blindness and improve vision care.
More about us
Our Board and Executive Team
Annual Reports
