KALAMUNDA resident Dave Hodson is taking on the Central Park Plunge to fundraise for Guide Dogs WA.

This will be the second time Dave has taken the plunge, abseiling 130m down the Central Park tower on Saturday, October 26.

Dave and his wife have been providing a home for trainee guide dogs for 10 years, and he said the dogs can be housed with them from a couple of weeks to a year at a time depending on their age and what stage of training they are at.

“We sometimes have them when they’re puppies, and sometimes they come to us for what’s called temporary care, so just for a few weeks of a couple of months while they train in Victoria Park,” he said.

“Our job is to teach them all the general manners. There are certain things you can’t do, like play fetch or ball with them, because they learn to get excited about chasing a ball and when they’re in service they could go running off after a ball when they’re meant to be on the job. Things like that are important while they’re in training.

“Generally, we like to make sure they’re calm and don’t get too excited over things because this is how they need to be as a working guide dog.”

The main challenge to Guide Dogs WA, Dave said, is funding.

“It costs about $50,000 to train a guide dog, it’s not a cheap exercise. There’s no government support there either, so the whole cost falls to Guide Dogs WA. And if they can’t afford to train more dogs, there will be people in the community who have to go without that support for longer,” he said.

Only about 30 per cent of dogs who go through training actually go on to become working guide dogs. The rest have what Dave called a ‘career change’ where they move into work as emotional support or care dogs, or a variety of other jobs to support people with a disability.

He said seeing the difference guide dogs make to blind peoples’ lives is the most rewarding part of being in the program.

“It’s just awe inspiring really, seeing and hearing what a difference these dogs can make to people,” he said.

“There is a graduation ceremony at the end of each dog’s training, so we are able to meet the people they’re paired with, and it’s really emotional, to see the difference these dogs can make in someone’s life and what we’re helping contribute to.”

Dave is aiming to raise $6000 through the Central Park Plunge, and said all donations were gratefully received.

“The Central Park Plunge is great for fundraising; we’re really getting the word out there by doing it. This is the second year I’ve taken it on, and it will be my last! Anything people can give is going to a great cause,” he said.

To donate online, go to this website.