State-of-the-art training campus opens for Victorian guide dogs

Guide Dogs Victoria has opened a new state-of-the-art sensory campus for training future generations of dogs.

Transcript

00:00Do not be fooled.

00:04This is one happy and very lucky little puppy.

00:08It's learning new skills in a 33 million dollar facility 10 years in the making.

00:13This is a game changing facility.

00:15For 70 years Guide Dogs Victoria has been helping the blind and vision impaired from

00:19the same building and their work can be profound.

00:23She has given me the confidence to go out independently, to attend university, to seek

00:28employment, to catch up with friends and family and have the energy to be able to do

00:33all of those things with confidence and with joy.

00:37But when Lucy walks into this centre, she doesn't need dotting.

00:44So this light up here is actually my favourite way finding tool.

00:47Markers and guides large and subtle are everywhere so everyone of all abilities can move independently.

00:54There's actually a little ridge on the handrail and that tells you that to your right there

00:58is a bedroom door.

00:59Clients stay at the campus when they're learning how to work with their dog.

01:02The new living areas have adjustable sinks and cooktops and the bedrooms have had a 2024

01:08upgrade.

01:09These beds can be divided into two for when we're having children's programs.

01:15This is an indoor outdoor facility.

01:17Not only do the outdoors include more areas for dog training to happen but that sensory

01:21focus way finding emphasis exists here too.

01:24This is a softer touch and the plants are citrus so all of the senses are enriched.

01:29It just provides so much opportunity for everyone of any ability and any age to grow and learn

01:35and explore and thrive.