Happy Mother's Day!
As part of our celebrations, and our highlighting of volunteers as part of National Volunteers Month, we’d like to introduce you to breeder carer Fiona Marshall, her son, and co-breeder carer Josh, and breeding dog Nell.
Our breeding dogs live in homes with our amazing volunteers and keep up their skills so that they have the skills needed to become Seeing Eye Dogs if suitable once they retire from breeding.
Nell is a three-year-old Labrador cross Golden Retriever breeding dog living with breeder carers Fiona and Josh.
Nell lives a busy, active life spending days with learning assistant Fiona, and then with Josh. Josh is based in an office as an Industrial Designer, working in the medical field. They also partake in personal training sessions, and even the occasional game of tennis.
The two lifestyles provide a great balance for Nell, who takes is all in her stride.
“Nell is an amazing dog, she’s adaptable and calm,” says Fiona.
Fiona has been a volunteer with Seeing Eye Dogs since 2020, after raising her first dog guide puppy in South Africa. Alongside her family she raised Roger who is a graduated Seeing Eye Dog working with his handler now.
Working as a Learning Assistant at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, Fiona works across the school, and Nell attends with her on Mondays and Tuesdays. Fiona’s role involves working with whole classes of year seven and eight students as part of the wellbeing and Nell’s presence in class is particularly calming, as she goes into a down position and stays relaxed on the tether.
“I have spoken to people in the community that are concerned they wouldn't be able to have a dog in their school. I reassure them that the dogs are so adaptable and quickly learn the routine. There is some adjustment period but they soon get used to it. People just need to try it. It's very rewarding."
Nell has worked the routine out well. “When the bell goes, she stands!”
She gets designated pat time when her coat is off where the students and other teachers enjoy some Nell time.
The other days, Nell might be found in the office with Josh, settling in the workplace and attending meetings. For the Marshalls, caring is a family effort.
“Josh was involved with Roger too. Everybody’s involved in Nell’s care. She fits in with our schedule, we all complement each other.”
Fiona recommends people consider volunteering options like breeder caring: “People might be afraid of the commitment, but you get so much support from the trainers and the community of carers,” she says.
“I don’t know if going into it I realised how much support there was. You probably underestimate how much support you get. We get so many people asking questions and we simply say “you can do it too”.