Guide & Assistance Dogs
Life changing and life-saving programs
For more than 20 years, our internationally recognised Guide and Assistance Dogs have empowered South Australians to explore the world with confidence.
What’s on this page?
Our highly trained dogs provide more than just practical support — they are also loyal partners, offering life-changing and in fact life-saving support and opening new doors to independence and opportunity.
We are proud to be one of Australia’s leading Guide and Assistance Dog Schools, breeding, training and matching See Differently Guide Dogs for people who are legally blind and OPK9 Assistance Dogs for veterans living with PTSD.
Puppy Program
Our Puppy Program is where it all starts for these beautiful dogs who will go on to change and save lives.
Guide Dogs
A See Differently guide dog truly allows someone who is legally blind to experience the world differently.
OPK9 Assistance Dogs
OPK9 empowers veterans with highly trained support dogs and a proven recovery program.
Puppy Volunteering
Love puppies? Volunteer to raise a service dog—we cover everything. Join a program that is changing lives today!
See our dogs changing lives
For nearly 20 years our Guide and Assistance Dog programs have been changing and even saving lives. Our internationally accredited school works to the highest standards, allowing people with blindness and veterans with PTSD to benefit from a life changing See Differently assistance dog.
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Guide and Assistance Dogs currently working with clients
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Puppies in the Puppy Program, training to change the future
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Staff and Volunteers working together to deliver these programs
We couldn’t change lives without your support.
Over 50% of the funding for our Guide and Assistance Dogs comes from our incredible community. Your support – whether through puppy program donations, gifts in wills, or attending events – truly changes lives.
Programs that change lives
Our Guide and Assistance Dog Programs are special to see in action. But what is it that makes them so special?
We have an amazing team.
Our highly trained team of experts are there to work with the dogs and people in our programs. They know the field inside out, many have international experience, and they are passionate about helping people and ensuring our program is leading the way.
An accredited training program that works
As members of the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International, we follow tried and tested training methodologies. It takes time and patience to train a dog for a long and successful career and that’s what we do.
![[Image description: Photo from behind of two see differently volunteers wearing dark green see differently volunteer shirts.]](https://seedifferently.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Group-54-2.jpg)
Hard working and caring volunteers
Our huge community of volunteers are incredible. Dogs who have lived in homes and been trained with dedication make the best Guide and Assistance Dogs and we rely on volunteers to help us raise these incredible dogs. They help breed the dogs, care for puppies in their first year, and bring the dogs to school when they are in formal training. They do it because they know they are changing lives.
Meet Sarah.
Sarah is a young woman who is studying at university, who loves fashion and is passionate about advocating for people with disabilities. She’s doing it all with See Differently guide dog Sid by her side. Find out how Sarah sees differently.
7 steps to creating life changing dogs
It takes two years, hundreds of hours of training, the care and support of our team and volunteers, countless bags of dog food and tens of thousands of dollars to give someone in need a life changing See Differently Guide or Assistance Dog. Discover the steps it takes to make it happen.
STEP ONE
Puppy life. See Differently breeds puppies, just right for becoming guide and assistance dogs. They are cared for by volunteers in the first 8 weeks of life. Of course, our puppy team is there every step of the way in these early days and weeks.
STEP TWO
Puppy care. Puppies are cared for by trained volunteers from 8 weeks to about 14 months of age. The puppies go everywhere with their volunteers – work, school, the shops, on trains and trams. They also take part in the puppy training program and receive the best nutrition and veterinary care.
STEP THREE
Right for the job. Throughout the first 14 months we are checking the puppies health and temperament. We want as many pups as possible to succeed, but some aren’t right for the job. At 14 months the dogs are allocated to either our Guide Dog School or OPK9 Assistance Dog School.
STEP FOUR
School starts! Just like kids, the dogs come to school 5 days a week. Our bed and breakfast volunteers drop the dogs to school by 9 and pick them up by 6 – or our team will pick them up on the way to work. During the school day the dogs work with our team, learning all the skills they will need for their job. It’s not all work of course, and the dogs also get to run around and play too. School lasts for about 5 months.
STEP FIVE
Time to match. This part is special because our team matches the dog with the right client. Some of our clients may have had a Guide or Assistance Dog before, but for others it will be their first. Our skilled team work to train both the handler and dog together, building trust, skills and the foundation of a life changing partnership.
STEP SIX
Graduation day. It’s time to celebrate all the work and achievement. Every year we hold a special graduation ceremony for all the clients (handlers) who have graduated with their Guide or Assistance Dog. It’s incredible to hear from the clients and their families and mark this momentous partnership. Usually, the dogs will be about 2 years of age when they graduate and live with their client.
STEP SEVEN
Ongoing support. It doesn’t end at graduation. Our team offers ongoing support for our Guide and Assistance Dog partnerships throughout their working lives. That means at least annual check-ups, extra training or support if needed, and of course extra support as the dog nears retirement.
Become a puppy volunteer today.
The heroes of tomorrow need your help today. There are different roles and levels of time commitments needed for our volunteering roles, but you’ll be part of a program that is changing lives. All food, vet and general costs are covered and our team is there to work with you.