13 Dec 2025
This festive season, Guide Dogs Victoria is calling on everyday Australians to make a pawsitive change and give a gift that Santa can’t deliver - a lifechanging Guide Dog.
Alongside its world-class Guide Dogs, Guide Dogs Victoria now trains for three career paths including Therapy Dogs and Court Dogs, an important extension of its mission to support people’s safety, confidence and wellbeing in more places than ever before.
Every Guide Dog, Therapy Dog and Court Dog begins as a Little Helper full of promise, but it costs more than $50,000 and two years to shape that promise into greater independence.
This year, the Guide Dogs Victoria Christmas Appeal aims to raise $300,000 in vital funds to support the breeding, care, and training that transforms small paws into life-changing companions who go on to help someone feel safe, confident, and connected.
Thanks to community generosity, last financial year Guide Dogs Victoria had 237 working Guide Dogs actively supporting people in the community, welcomed 137 puppies at Cute HQ, and matched 83 dogs with their new handlers in homes, healthcare settings, schools, and courthouses across Victoria.
Every dog has unique strengths, and Guide Dogs Victoria works carefully to match each pup to the career where they’ll change the most lives. Although some may not go into the Guide Dog program, socialised puppies can take on a range of jobs that bring happiness to people in many different ways including:
Guide Dogs to support people who are blind or have low vision navigate the world safely and with confidence.
Therapy Dogs supporting mental, physical and emotional wellbeing in homes, schools and health settings.
Court Dogs who bring calm and confidence to children and people experiencing trauma.
Lottie, an aspiring country music singer and music teacher, credits her Guide Dog Kineta with helping her navigate the world, and her budding music career, with confidence.
“I used to get very anxious about crowds and noise,” Lottie says. Blind since childhood, she could read Braille music by age 10 but getting to rehearsals and performances was a challenge.
Now, with Kineta by her side, Lottie teaches music, performs live, sings and has even landed a lead role in a musical theatre production. “Kineta has given me the confidence to travel longer distances on my own, but even more than that, she has been a constant companion and best friend,” she says.
“Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life-changing impact our wonderful Guide Dogs have in the community,” said Nicky Long, CEO of Guide Dogs Victoria.
“Last year alone, we supported more than 230 working Guide Dogs and matched over 80 dogs with new handlers, none of which is possible without community generosity. By coming together, we can empower more people with low vision or blindness to live independent, fulfilling lives.”
“If you’ve ever wanted to make a meaningful difference this Christmas, now is the time. Your donation to our Christmas Appeal helps a puppy reach its full potential, whether guiding someone safely, comforting a child in court, or supporting wellbeing in homes, schools and health settings.”
Donate today
To support the Guide Dogs Victoria Christmas Appeal or learn how your donation helps Little Helpers grow into life-changing partners, please visit: vic.guidedogs.com.au/little-helpers