Whanganui High School students Evan Ross (17) and Portia Sharp (17) lead the way organising a fundraiser for guide dogs like Abbot. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui High School students Evan Ross (17) and Portia Sharp (17) lead the way organising a fundraiser for guide dogs like Abbot. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui golden retriever Abbot is a dog like no other.
The dog has travelled to Auckland five times on Air Chathams to help breed guide dogs for New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision.
Five-year-old Abbot is one of the few stud dogs in the country registered with the Blind Foundation and has already bred 25 guide dogs.
To support Abbot and the Blind Foundation, a group of Whanganui High School students are raising money for the annual Red Puppy Appeal.
Leaders of the group, Portia Sharp and Evan Ross, told the Chronicle the Blind Foundation was a charity that often slipped under the radar.
"It's not a cause that gets a lot of recognition and we love dogs. Abbot, and dogs like him, make a huge difference to so many people's lives so it's great to get behind something like this," Portia said.
Abbot's owner, Sandy McAllen, has volunteered for the Blind Foundation for more than 10 years after she discovered all the work the charity does.
Mrs McAllen said there was a lot of thought that went into selecting stud dogs because they needed to have the right personality.
"Guide dogs are like people, they do everything people do ... go to the movies, go to restaurants, fly on aeroplanes.
"So they need to be really good with people, be calm and most importantly want to work."
Abbot the golden retriever is helping blind people throughout New Zealand. Photo / Bevan Conley
She said unfortunately her labrador didn't make the cut.
"We get called up when a female dog is on heat and then fly up to Auckland with Abbot, he's a frequent flyer on Air Chathams."
Mrs McAllen said after the puppies are born, puppy walkers have them for a year and there is constant interaction with the Blind Foundation to train them.
"I can't speak high enough for the work the Blind Foundation do with these puppies, they are truly amazing."
Evan and Portia have rallied a group of 24 students to fundraise for the cause.
Home-made cookies in the shape of dogs and hot-dogs galore will be circulating around the school campus and all donations will go to the Blind Foundation.
A street collection will also take place in Whanganui on March 23 and 24.
