Perth is set for an extra dose of puppy love next week as Guide Dogs WA marks International Guide Dog Day and celebrates 75 years since the first guide dog school in Australia began in Western Australia.
On Wednesday April 29, the heart of the celebrations will be at Murray Street mall, where the public can meet ambassador dogs and puppies in training. The Bell Tower and Council House will glow orange in the evening, while a sold-out trivia night at The Camfield will kick off the night before.
In regional WA, Busselton Central Shopping Centre will welcome an Ambassador Dog and puppies for walk-through appearances, and the Port Hedland overpass will be illuminated in orange.
Guide Dogs WA chief executive Anna Presser said the day recognises how amazing these dogs are. “These incredible dogs help people by enhancing independence, quality of life and giving people with low or no vision the support to get out into the community,” she said.
It typically takes two years and extensive resources to breed, raise and train a Guide or Assistance dog. The organisation currently has close to 200 dogs either supporting West Australians or in training. Globally, the International Guide Dog Federation reported almost 15,000 working guide dogs worldwide in 2025.
This year’s celebration is especially meaningful, marking 75 years since the first Guide Dog school in the country was established, with its first training centre in two old trams. For more information on how to get involved or to donate, visit the Guide Dogs WA website.
