A DEGENERATIVE eye condition has left Lynda Christensen with limited vision. She cannot see faces clearly and has very limited depth perception.
A little over 18 months ago she started walking with a white cane. She never felt confident in public with the cane. It made her feel isolated and alone.
“A friend suggested that getting a guide dog might make me feel more confident to go out on my own,” Ms Christensen said.
In January she was matched with her very own guide dog Chime.
“Although she is a dog, I don’t feel alone with her and have the confidence to go out. She is curb to curb trained … when I say ‘bank’ she knows where to take me.”
At home and off the harness, Chime is just like any other puppy – happy and playful. On Wednesday, International Guide Dog Day, Ms Christensen said it was important to acknowledge the dogs that were everyday heroes to so many.
“Guide dogs changes peoples’ lives. If we ever have any problems we can just pick up the phone and call Guide Dogs Victoria.”
