For a person with low or no vision, getting out and about in the community can take a lot of planning, if they use a cane.
The freedom that comes with having a Guide Dog is lifechanging, knowing they’ll be safely guided and able to be more spontaneous.
To breed, raise and train a guide dog, is both costly and takes times. It takes up to two years and cost $50,000. The waiting list to be matched to a guide dog can also be 18 months and two years.
Recently, Barron Barnett Freemasons Lodge donated $50,000 to Guide Dogs with the help of Hand Heart Pocket, to cover the cost of training one guide dog.
As a thank you, Guide Dogs allowed the Lodge to name two puppies in the ‘F’ litter. The Lodge aptly named them, Barron and Barnett.
Lodge representative John Zamofing said they recently met the puppies for the first time.
“They are adorable. They were just eight weeks old. We will be following Barron and Barnett’s progress over the next two years, as they become fully fledged Guide Dogs,” John said.
“We are excited to be on this journey with them and feel equally proud knowing that our contribution will ultimately support people in our community with low or no vision to live life to the fullest,” he said.
Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Sara Parrott said Freemason Lodges have long supported Guide Dogs because they believe in their purpose of empowering people to lead more independent lives.
“With our support the Lodge will be making a tangible difference that will improve someone’s quality of life and help them to live more independently. We are pleased to support Barron Barnett Freemasons Lodge with this worthy initiative,” Ms Parrott said.
Over the last year, the Freemasons of Queensland have continued to make a positive impact in communities across the state. In 2021-22, with the support of Hand Heart Pocket our Members gave over $460,000 to the causes that matter to them in their community.
Photo: John Den Dulk holding Barron, HHP Champion David Roberts, Patrick Malone, Gary Golding and John Zamofing holding Barnett.
