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The borders open … and Seeing Eye Dog Eva takes her first flight After months of not being able to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, Vision Australia advocacy manager Chris Edwards was back in the air, with a new travel companion, Seeing Eye Dog Eva.
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or the past 10 years, Edwards had been accompanied on his many trips with Odie, his first Seeing Eye Dog. After clocking up more than 100,000 kilometres on Virgin Australia flights alone, Odie retired earlier this year and Edwards was matched with Eva, his successor.
“Airports are challenging environment for everyone, but when you’re travelling with a Seeing Eye Dog it’s even more so. Having a dog that’s well trained, can get through terminals and security and be confident that they are doing the right thing is special.”
According to Edwards, Eva’s ability to handle most situations has been a real strength and flying on the plane was a big experience for both.
Making Chris and Eva’s first trip all the easier was the welcoming environment created by Virgin Australia. Under law, Seeing Eye Dogs are permitted access to just about all public places, but Edwards said many could learn from how Virgin Australia and the wider aviation industry have welcomed both Eva and Odie.
“It’s been fantastic to get back up flying again. It’s been a long break since Covid and to have the support I need form a Seeing Eye Dog to be able to get through the airport and onto the plane and get back travelling again is going to be amazing,” Edwards said
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“Virgin have been amazing to support myself and my Seeing Eye Dog through
so many trips and the experience continues to improve. People know what to do and what not to with a Seeing Eye Dog and it makes the journey so much more pleasant to have a company that really understands what the experience is like for someone travelling with a dog and what they need to do to support them.” Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dog is the only national provider, trainer and breeder of Seeing Eye Dogs in Australia. It offers a wide range of services, equipment and training so people who are blind or have low vision can live the life they choose. Visit: www.sed.visionaustralia.org