Meet guide dog Millie.
Millie came into Logan’s life almost four years ago and quickly gave Logan more confidence, freedom and companionship. Prior to Millie, activities such as trips to the shops could be slow as Logan navigated the footpath surfaces and obstacles with his guide cane. Now, with Millie at his side, he can move through the streets with more confidence and indeed at a lot more speed.
Millie is turning seven this year and Logan says, “she was born ready and is quick to jump into action when I stand up”. She’s eager to get her harness on and start working. Logan describes Millie as his shadow, always at his side or close by watching out for him. She also loves to chat, often trying to interject her opinions into human conversations.
When it’s times to shake off her harness at the dog park, if she’s not excitedly greeting her best fur-friend, another guide dog, she’s nosed down and spends her playtime sniffing. Logan jokes that Millie dreams of being a professional sniffer dog one day. With her love of being active and preference to be out and about, Millie doesn’t shy from letting her thoughts be known during appointments and will flop down dramatically on the floor and vocalize her boredom, much to Logan’s amusement.
Millie is a frequent traveler, accompanying Logan on semi-regular ferry trips to Melbourne for him attend woodwork classes, a hobby close to Logan’s heart who was a carpenter apprentice prior to his accident. When in Melbourne, Millie slips into city slicker mode and with new smells at her nose, she enjoys exploring the busy city together with Logan.
Today marks International Guide Dog Day, a day to celebrate the incredible support these dogs give people with visual impairment. With their guide dog at their side, they have a level of confidence and freedom that otherwise wouldn’t be possible, enabling them to pursue their full potential as an included and active member of the community. But these dogs are not just workers, they are companions and quickly become part of the family.