Gulliver the giant guide dog will arrive in Tenterfield next Wednesday.
THE giant dog dubbed Australia’s “first and only travelling big thing” will arrive in Tenterfield next week to help launch Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s latest campaign.
“Gulliver” the giant guide dog, who is 4.3m tall and weighs 690kg, will visit Tenterfield next Wednesday as part of a bid to secure 10,000 signatures in support of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s call to the government to ensure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds a number of services.
The visit is part of a two-month road trip that starts today in Sydney with the launch of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s NDIS: A Vision for All campaign.
“Vision loss is a challenging disability and it’s on the rise,” Guide Dogs NSW/ACT chief executive officer Dr Graeme White said.
“Without these services, people with vision loss become disconnected from the community, dependent on others to get around and are at higher risk of accidents and depression.
“With the number of NSW and ACT residents aged over 40 with vision loss projected to reach 100,000 by 2020, NDIS funding will be critical to enabling us to meet growing demand for our vital services.”
The organisation is calling on the government to ensure the NDIS funds orientation and mobility services, including canes and guide dogs.
Gulliver will be in Rouse Street between 4pm and 5pm on Wednesday, August 22 with a team who will demonstrate to the community how important orientation and mobility services are to the independence of local residents who are vision impaired.