Meet the special dogs about to embark on careers that will change lives and transform futures.

Guide Dogs WA marked a special day in the calendar on Thursday November 5 as graduating Guide and Assistance Dogs were recognised at a special ceremony following the end of their formal training.

The graduation ceremony recognises the extraordinary journeys of 16 special dogs, celebrating those who have supported and guided them and the partnerships that will go on to provide greater independence, confidence and comfort for Western Australians living with low or no vision, disability or illness.

The ceremony represents the culmination of years of specialised training, dedication and hard work by our specialist training teams, and the many staff, puppy raisers, volunteers, donors and supporters involved along the way.

This month’s graduating class also included two Guide Dog Mobility Instructors and an Assistance Dog Trainer.

Guide Dogs WA CEO Anna Presser said graduation was always an important milestone for the Guide Dogs community.

“Graduation is a wonderful opportunity to recognise what each dog and the team that supports them has achieved together and to celebrate the beginning of the next chapter in their journey,” Ms Presser said.

“Each one of our dogs brings unique skills and attributes to the varied roles they perform, whether that’s as Guide, Assistance, Facility, Brood or Companion Dogs.”

“Behind every dog you will see an incredible network of people who have helped them reach this point – from our breeding and training teams through to puppy raisers, volunteers, donors and supporters.”

While not all of the organisation’s specially bred dogs will achieve the rigorous training standards required to become a Guide or Assistance Dog, these dogs go on to other valuable and important careers as Facility, Brood and Companion Dogs providing valuable support and guidance across a range of settings.

The November class includes three graduating Guide Dogs, one Autism Assistance Dog, one Facility Dog, eight Companion Dogs and three Home Support Dogs, five of whom were present at the ceremony to receive their diplomas.

Guide Dogs WA has a proud history of supporting Western Australians with low or no vision and celebrates the organisation’s 75th anniversary with a series of special events this month.