Point Cook’s Antony Rako and his canine companion, Labrador Brett, have hit a significant milestone with Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV).
While the charity has trained thousands of guide dogs across its 60-plus year history, partnering Brett with Mr Rako means that for the first time ever, there are now 250 guide dogs working in Victoria at the one time.
Mr Rako, who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, is studying a diploma in community services at Victoria University.
With Brett being his first guide dog, they spent four weeks training with a GDV mobility instructor so that Mr Rako could learn commands and how to care for his new companion.
“It’s actually been amazing, to be honest he’s given me a lot more freedom just to get out more often and explore, and a lot more independence,” Mr Rako said.
He said that he and Brett have been going for early morning walks each day.
“We have been getting out and been doing a lot of walks, so that’s been a great plus, having him has enabled me to walk faster too, get up to a proper power walk,” Mr Rako said.
“I’m quite tall, six foot five, so I was always finding that I was walking into overhanging branches and things like that, so he is quite good at guiding me around those.”
Mr Rako said with Brett by his side, he was also looking forward to being able to travel more.
In April, they will fly to a wedding and holiday in Queensland.
“It will be Brett and I’s first plane ride together,” Mr Rako said.
“It feels so much easier and less stressful, knowing that he is there to take care of me and keep me safe.”
In addition, Mr Rako said that he and Brett had similar personalities.
“We both love learning new things and we’re pretty chilled out, calm and collected,” he said.
Mr Rako said he would like to encourage anyone who is living with low vision or blindness to consider getting a guide dog, and to get in touch GDV to discuss their needs.
Details: www.guidedogs.com.au
By Alesha Capone
