00:11 S1
On Vision Australia radio. You're listening to the Seeing Eye Dog show with me, your host, Harriet Muffett. Today I'm joined by Sophie Thomas, a singer handler and a national operations manager and IT recruitment firm. And she is also a big nature and exercise lover. So we're going to be talking a little bit about how she's going to be taking part in 100 k year way, as well as her partnership, life and story, um, as well as just a little bit about the wonderful Seeing eye dog Winnie. Without further ado, here is my interview with Sophie. Hi, Sophie. Thank you for joining me on the show today.
00:55 S2
Hi, how are you? Thank you for having me.
00:58 S1
So we're going to start off by if you could please introduce yourself. You know, um, tell me a bit about your hobbies, interests. Do you work?
01:06 S2
Well, sure. So, um, I, um, have been living in Melbourne for 17 half years. Um, from, um, I'm half UK, half New Zealand. I work for an IT recruitment agency as a national operations manager. Um, and I've actually been with that company since I moved here 17.5 years ago. I'm turning 48 this year, and I've actually got a goal of being 50 and fabulous. Okay. Um, and it's approaching a bit fast, so I'm running out of time to, to be this fabulous person I wanted to be, but, um. Yeah. So my hobbies are, um, I do, I love exercising, I love getting out and running. You wouldn't know that if you met me, because I don't have a very athletic figure. But, you know, it doesn't matter. It's running for everyone. And, um, I love getting out in nature as well. Love trees.
02:00 S1
Trees are the best bit in particular that you're loving about nature.
02:04 S2
Yeah, trees and all sorts of animals. Creatures and yeah, fresh air. I love all that. Yeah.
02:13 S1
So could you please introduce your seeing eye dog and kind of tell me about how long you've been working together? Um, and you know what, uh, what you like about it.
02:24 S2
I have Winnie. Um, also Winnie the dog, not Winnie the Pooh. And, um, although she does do Pooh, obviously. Um, she's, um. She's a black Labrador retriever. Cross. And she's a really happy, healthy lady. Vegemite. You know, she's very cheeky and, um, she's just lovely. We just love her. She's really sweet. She's very funny. Um, she's got funny little quirks. Um, and she just makes us laugh every day. She does silly little things, you know? So what is.
03:00 S1
What is what does a quirk kind of. What? What does that mean?
03:05 S2
She watches TV. I don't know if you've ever had a dog. Yeah, she. I've grown up with dogs all my life. Not one of them watch TV. But she does. She watches TV. You can see her react to things.
03:17 S1
I've seen puppies do it, but I. I tended to find more. Adult dogs grow out of it.
03:23 S2
Yeah, I thought so too. But she's I mean, she she might still blow out of it. She's only turning two very soon, so she's still young, but, um. Yeah. You know, horses had a bit of a growl. If she sees them on the screen, other dogs get a growl. Pigs. That gets a bit of a stronger response.
03:43 S1
Like like a, like a, like kind of menacing or just like a kind of hello growl. Like, you know, is she.
03:48 S2
No. No. Menacing. No. So it's almost like she thinks they're about to come into the room and she's warning them not to.
03:54 S1
Ah, whereas if she sees these things. Whereas if she sees these things in real life, she's probably would do her training and would, like, ignore it.
04:01 S2
The opposite. Yes.
04:03 S1
Maybe. Maybe it's the fact that it's like she's like, it's here, but it doesn't smell. She's like, it's really bizarre because like, I, I can't smell it.
04:10 S2
Very odd. Yeah, it's very odd. I wonder if it's because my husband loves his TV. It's like a 75 inch one. So maybe it's because it's so big. Yeah.
04:21 S1
It's it's big enough that the, the animals are like in giant googly.
04:26 S2
Yeah. You know, and she's got to protect us these things.
04:31 S1
I mean I'm glad that someone is like. It makes it when when your husband's just sitting there enjoying the TV, she's actually being proactive. I mean, I think that's quite good. You know, someone's going to do the hard work.
04:41 S2
But it's just hilarious because we'll be watching the show and she'll be curled up asleep, you know, fast asleep. And then there might be something, a cat come on the screen or something in the show, and you hear this little oh. And you don't even realize that she's awake. But she must have just spotted it out of the corner of my eye. You know, she's funny.
05:02 S1
She's just sneaky. So, is she your first seeing artist? How long have you been asking our dogs? Handler.
05:08 S2
So, um, no, I've only had many since August last year, and she's my second. Um, I, um, got my first one back in 2015, so it's been nearly nine years now. Yes. Nine years. Um, and that's I got. Yeah, she was a little golden lab, um, and she was our little pocket rocket. She was amazing. Um, and she passed away beginning of last year.
05:36 S1
Oh, I'm sorry, I had a bit of a break.
05:38 S2
Yeah. Thank you. She, um. She was actually born with some, um, medical issues, which we didn't realise until a couple of years in having her. And, um, she battled them right up to the end. You know, she got very sick, but she came back and she got back to guiding, and we had another five years with her. She was brave little things. She was wonderful.
06:00 S1
Yeah. I'm. Well, I'm. Yeah. I'm sorry for your loss. She sounds like she had a pretty good life regardless. And we did it out. And yeah, she.
06:08 S2
Lived life to the full. You know, we learnt a lot from her, you know what I mean? Not to sweat the small stuff and just. Just get on with it, you know?
06:15 S1
Yeah. Just kind of keep on. Keep on going on and wagging her tail regardless of whatever's going on. Right.
06:21 S2
That's right. Yeah. Yeah. Good.
06:25 S1
So what made you decide to apply, I guess the first time. And then, um, you know, reapply for a seeing eye dog.
06:35 S2
So, um. So I started losing my vision in my mid 20s. But for a long time I wasn't I didn't need any mobility support. Um, and then it sort of got to the point where, um, so my vision is it's tunnel vision. So it's slowly becoming more and more narrow. Um, and I got to the point where I sort of needed some sort of support, and I didn't really know what. So I met with someone at Vision Australia and they gave me a, um. Visibility came. Um, and that helped me for a bit, but, um, I went out to the, um. The supermarket once and I was just standing, looking. This is what happened. This is how I chose to have a dog, because I was standing looking at the shelf, and I stepped forward to pick something up off the shelf. And in doing that, I must have cut someone else's path off. He was walking past and he. And he gave me this abuse like. And he just yelled at me. And then he walked off and he just looked at me like I was a piece of poop on his shoe. And I sort of said, look, I'm sorry, I didn't realize I didn't see you, but, you know. And so after that, I sort of walked down the street and I just sat down and just walked. Right. You know, it just really hit me. Yeah, it was horrible. And so I rang my mom and she was like, well, why don't you think about getting a dog now? You know, just having a dog will help other people realize that you can't see.
08:04 S1
Yeah.
08:05 S2
And, um, and that was that was it? Yeah. That made me decide to apply. So and I was very lucky that I got accepted and, and given the dogs, you know, um. And then to reapply after I lost yellow. Ah, honestly, I thought it would be years before I was ready because it was so traumatic and devastating when we lost her. And people are straight away with saying you're going to get another one. I was like, you know what? No, I'm fine, you know? And but then after a couple of months. God is really, really anxious again. And, um. Yeah, my my self-confidence was growing. I wasn't leaving the office at lunchtime and I just noticed my. I was general, I started feeling a little bit depressed again, you know, and just walking around by myself felt very lonely. So I thought, you know what? Maybe I am ready. Maybe I'll see if we can get another dog. And yeah, very quickly I got winning. So again, very lucky.
09:08 S1
I'm sure that to some kind of, to some degree, like the dog, you know, kind of whinny coming along would be quite healing, I suppose. Maybe.
09:18 S2
Yeah, it was. And what we were worried about was, you know. We don't want her to replace Yara. And you know what? She hasn't. There's still a Yara shaped hole in my life. But because. Because they're so different. You know what I mean? Yeah. Um, I didn't realize how different these dogs are. The personalities are so different. And obviously they've got the Labrador traits. They've got lots of things that are similar. But Winnie is just so different to Yara, and she's just enriched my life in another way. You know, I still miss Yara, but when he's he's made us smile again for sure. Yeah. She brought happiness back to our house.
09:57 S1
I'm sure it'll never come. Yeah. It's it's that's the thing. It's not replacing. It's not. It's not forgetting. It's just. Yeah. Yeah. I kind of like to think sometimes that like the other dogs or the dogs you've had before her. Kind of. You know, they'd want you to have another dog and kind of like they'd want to send another dog to you to know that you're okay. Yes.
10:19 S2
Also, when I was starting to think about, um, you know, getting another dog after yellow passed, I put the call in to to seeing our dogs and sort of said, look, um, what do you think? But I wasn't sure. I really wasn't sure whether I'd be accepted because I'm not an NDIS customer. Um, because, um, my, I'm here on a New Zealand passport, so I'm not accepted on the NDIS, so I wasn't sure if Cedar would give me a dog. Um, and so I was really worried about that. And then one day I was just really down, depressed, went, took myself out for a walk, and I found myself walking a route that myself and Yarra used to do. And I was just crying my eyes out. I was just crying and crying, crying. And then I get this phone call while I'm crying. And it's one of your looks and seeing eye dog saying, yes, yeah, application's been accepted. We'll find you a dog. And honestly, I think that was Yara doing that. She said she sent them.
11:21 S1
She was there with you at that time. Just kind of in her own way.
11:25 S2
Yeah. You know, I was there walking, remembering, thinking about her crying. And then I get this call to say that, yeah, I'll get another dog. And I just honestly. It may sound stupid, but I think these things happen, you know, for a reason. Yeah.
11:44 S1
So what is the kind of a, I suppose, a typical day in the life of you and Winnie, now that you've kind of you are kind of together in a team.
11:53 S2
We are. We're very much a team and I live just on Southbank in Melbourne. So um, and my office is on College Street in the city, so it's just a short walk in. So, um, actually, well, I mean, the day before we go to work, the day starts quite early because when she seems to need her breakfast at 630 in the morning. No, I don't know if other dog handlers have this experience, but yes, we have. We have tried to extend this, but, um, you make yourself quite a nuisance. And in the end, we just have to get up and feed her. So, um, it means her up quite early, but that's fine. It's just, um, sometimes I might go and jump on the treadmill. We've got a gym in the building, so I might do a treadmill run, or I might just have a lazy coffee and take my time getting up. But we'll we'll walk to to work together in the office. Um, and then usually what happens when we get in the office is she comes off the harness in the office, so, um, she becomes like, just the office dog, and she she just has zoomies around the office. So often when we get in the door, I take the harness off and off she goes, and I can hear all these giggles happening around the corner, you know? So there just spreads joy everywhere she goes. It's just lovely. In fact, she's got a title at work CMO. Chief morale officer.
13:18 S1
Ah!
13:20 S2
Pepsi, ma'am. You know, she's got a few toys that just lay on her bed there, so she'll go and grab a toy and start flinging it about, and she just lightened the mood. It's just lovely, you know. And then, you know, once all that settles down, she just comes into meetings with me, and she just sleeps on the floor. She'll have little belly rubs and, um. Yeah, it's all pretty nice. Lovely.
13:45 S1
And it's quite nice when you can have, you know, you can really have that dog that can do both. You know, it really is like a, you know. Um. Yeah. Yeah. Going between work and and play mode.
13:57 S2
Yeah. That's right. And when we have people come to the office for meetings and they get to meet her and they're just delighted. It's very, very rare that anyone doesn't like dogs, you know? So they're like, yay, a dog in the meeting, you know? So it's just it's just adds that extra happiness to your day.
14:16 S1
So when you kind of, I guess, think about the time that you've had, um, together so far, do you have any particular kind of best outing that, um, springs to mind?
14:27 S2
I'm definitely actually not long after I got her. Um, I went on a trail bus hike. Um, so trail bus are a company that, um, they they, um, work with Achilles, which is a running club. Running club? Um, with and they put on trips out to, to the country for people with vision impairment and, um, you know, and it's just great because, you know, we can't drive, we can't get ourselves out there. So it's just really nice having someone organize it and help us out. So I did a trail hike at Lake Mountain with Renee.
15:01 S1
Oh, lovely.
15:02 S2
And it was absolutely she she was wonderful. And she just thought it was the best thing ever. She pulled me up the hills, which was very useful. And, um, you know, she was just very excited about it. And it was just really lovely to see how much she was enjoying it as well as me. So, yeah, that was a lovely outing. Yeah.
15:23 S1
Do you have any kind of particular plans for the future or trips you'd like to do together?
15:29 S2
So, um, yeah, definitely. Because. I thought he talked about it. I like running and I'm starting. I'm training. We need to run with me. He's, um. So. She's young. She's very fit. She's very healthy. She's got lots of energy. Um, and she's actually very good at running next to me. I'm not a fast runner, so she just trots along next to me, and she seemed to really enjoy it. So, yeah. Um, maybe in the future we'll do a trip where we do a running event together. You know, I'd really love that. Yeah, I think that would be cool. And, um, I don't know, probably just within Australia. Um, rather than trying to worry about the overseas stuff when you've got a dog makes it a bit harder. But yeah.
16:13 S1
The paperwork side of things even like to go to New Zealand and back is, um, pretty tricky. Yeah.
16:19 S2
Yeah it is. I looked into it years ago and I wanted to take Yarra over to see my mum. Um, and, and it was, you know, we had to get all sorts of, um, certification from the vets. Blood was I didn't end up doing it because this is what they were going to have to do. They're going to have to take her blood and send it to somewhere in WA to be, I don't know. Yeah. And then they would um, and that was going to cost $800 and all this sort of stuff. So it was just yeah, I would only really do it if I was going to be living there for some time, you know. Yeah. Yeah.
16:59 S1
So so do you have any kind of particular, I guess, funny memories or, um, stories that you would like to share?
17:06 S2
Um, yeah. So there is a funny one with Winnie. She. She doesn't like the rain. I don't think many dogs do, but, um, there was one morning, um, when we, um. Before we moved to South Bank. So we have used to have to get the tram to work, and we got off the tram, and it was absolutely bucketing down, as it does in Melbourne. And, um, we really stopped at the park where she usually does her pre-work. Whoo! Yeah. And then so she did. She did. It was pouring down the rain. She did it. And then I realized I didn't have a poo bag on me. And and, you know, I could have done what people do and just walk away and leave it, but I just can't do that. I can't do that. So I, um, I found a wad of tissues in my bag. And you know what tissues do in the vein?
17:54 S1
Oh, no. Oh.
17:55 S2
So anyway, so I was. I'm there. I'm bending over, trying to use this voice of tissues to pick up this poop. And all of a sudden, I feel this thing between my legs, and it's Winnie. She's come in between my legs to shelter from the rain.
18:10 S1
It, Princess.
18:13 S2
I know I'm. I'm trying to think of this to. She's helping me to my legs. I can't imagine what we must have looked like to someone walking past.
18:22 S1
Uh, no. And. And everyone's just like.
18:24 S2
What?
18:25 S1
And it really just does look like you are absolutely the servant to this dog, you know?
18:30 S2
Yeah, right. You know, and anyway, I managed to pick it up without getting all of my hands, which is a miracle. I took it to the bin, and then I realized they've actually got two bags attached to the bin that you can use.
18:43 S1
Oh no way.
18:45 S2
Oh, no.
18:46 S1
How how frustrating, y'all. It's kind of like one of those things, like, had I known, uh, my, you know, my last, uh, you know, two minutes could have been very different and much easier, right?
18:57 S2
Yeah. So we sort of got out there and then, you know, all the way, all the way up to the office. From there, it was still chucking it down. And so that meant that there were sort of many rivers to cross when you were crossing the road. And she, she didn't want to get her feet in them. And she wouldn't she didn't work out how to jump over. So I had to jump first.
19:16 S1
So her of course, of course. Well, I mean, I liked it. She's keeping you on your toes at at all these steps. She's like, I am the boss here.
19:25 S2
Um, yeah. I don't know what it is with her that she's, um. She. When I first got her, she had quite a lot of anxiety around certain things, you know? So she was, um, not sure about using the escalator, you know, doors closing onto children. Small children just terrified her. But. So I think the reason why we were matched is because she needed a handler that was patient with these things and understanding and, you know, was able to help her through them. And we have and we're really good team now. And I think now she wants to do all those things with me.
20:00 S1
Is she kind of more confident with all of that stuff to much more confidence?
20:04 S2
And it's funny because now when we see an escalator, she pulls me towards it and I'm like, I don't actually want to go back right this time, you know?
20:11 S1
So but you, but you but you can't be mad because she's trying her best for you. You know, she's like, oh yes. She's like.
20:17 S2
Yeah. She's like, we got this, mum, I can do this one. I can do it, you know? Yeah.
20:23 S1
I just want to make you proud of me, you know?
20:25 S2
Yeah. That's right, that's right. Yeah, I mean that that was a lovely moment when we were doing our training and Steve, our trainer, he sort of said, I can see when he checking in with you, um, when she's not sure about something. And you said and she, she sees that you're not worried, so she just carries on and gets on with it. And that's. I thought that was really good. Yeah. So that's why we're quite a good match. Yeah. Really good. So one of.
20:53 S1
The things that has kind of led us to speak to, to speak today is, um, you've been featured recently in some 100 K your way kind of, um, advertising, and you're taking part in that challenge. You said you're pretty active and.
21:07 S2
Um, um.
21:08 S1
And that type of thing. Could you tell us a bit about, um, 100 K your way and your motivation to do it?
21:15 S2
Yeah, sure. So when I first heard it, I one day, 100 K away, I was like, yeah, I need to lose 100 K. But no it wasn't. That was. Um, actually if I lost 100 K, I'd be invisible.
21:30 S1
I was going to.
21:31 S2
Say, would you be.
21:32 S1
Would you be, would you be pretty? Not alive? Oh.
21:37 S2
Yeah. Um, but no, I, I just I just love the idea of having a goal like that. And then obviously, it's for a good cause, isn't it? And it's an amazing cause. And I personally have benefited from the services that Vision Australia and seeing eye dogs you know, provide. So I'm more than happy to get involved in this. And the more people who do it or the more people who sponsor me, um, the more we you guys in Australia can help more other people like myself. Yeah. And it kind of feels good to say, yeah, I'm going to do 100 K like like you're some ultra marathon person. Yeah. I mean you kind of.
22:21 S1
I mean, it is it is your way. So you don't have to do it all at once. But, you know, people don't need to know that.
22:26 S2
No. That's right. You sort of omit the whole over the month of April. Just I'm going to do 100 K. Yay. Oh, okay. Actually I have been saying over the month of April, but a lot of people are sort of, um, saying to me, oh my God, that's amazing. Um, that's such a long way. And yes, I know it is, but it's like it does sound like a long way. And it is if you do it all in once, but if you break it down, it's only about three K's a day.
22:54 S1
But, you know, I mean, it's not that kind of. It's still it's still like consistency, isn't it? Like you still have to kind of make it, you know, even when it is rainy and gross. You know, you've got to kind of do it or you have to make it up the next day. It's um. Yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely donation worthy, isn't it?
23:10 S2
Definitely, definitely. And you know, I'm setting myself extra targets with it because I'm also training for Stadium Stomp. Have you heard of that? I haven't. Yeah. So Stadium Stomp is where you go up and down the stairs of the MCG. All of them? Yes. It's an event. And, um, it's been done in June every year for years now. I've done it a couple of times, and I've signed up again this year, half regretting it, but, um, it's a lot. It's a it's a really hard work. And, you know, stairs are different to a whole new ball game, isn't it?
23:52 S1
Um, yeah.
23:54 S2
So I'm going because I'm training for that as well. I'm going to be doing some of my 100 K as steps.
24:01 S1
Yeah. It's it's like if you, if you did your 100 K as um, as like repeat loops of, uh, the thousand steps you know, the, the walk in the dead dogs, whatever. Is it, the Kokoda Trail now? Yeah. That would be really hard. That would be. That would be very challenging.
24:20 S2
It really would. But I feel like I want to do that. So thanks for reminding me. I've never been out there and done them. I still love you.
24:28 S1
Yeah, I've I've, um, I've taken a few dogs out there because it's otherwise not dog friendly, but, um, as seeing my dogs in jacket, um, I've brought a few up as kind of, you know, stair training, I guess, and like to see how they go for an endurance. So, you know, my last puppy and one of my last puppies in training went up there. So I feel like she's ready for for a handler to do it. Um, so maybe when he's ready for you to do it.
24:50 S2
Yeah. When he would love it. And she could probably pull me up, so that would be good.
24:57 S1
So why? So, um, I think you you kind of mentioned it before, but why should others join the challenge or support you? By donating.
25:05 S2
Um. Well, misery loves company, doesn't it? No. Um. Well, I mean, the more people we've got it, and it is, it is good fun to do it as a team as well. I know that Winnie's carer, Robin, has got a team of people at her work doing it with her, and I guess that makes it easier to get up and do it because other people are making you accountable. Um, but yeah, everyone should do it. It's doable. You know, it's. And it's definitely a very worthy cause.
25:36 S1
So just to kind of finish off, um, is there any message that you have, um, for, I guess, people that are interested in, um, seeing eye dogs or or you know, what you think the general public should know?
25:51 S2
Yeah, sure. So, um. Honestly. I mean, obviously it's it's the, the obvious one is, you know, remember, if the dog is wearing a harness, then don't distract them or talk to them. Talk to the handler instead. Um, but a personal one for me is, um, because I don't outwardly appear to be vision impaired people when I'm with when people assume that I'm training her. Um, and so they then start asking me about what I'm doing to train her and how it's going and all that sort of thing. And then when I explain that she's actually mine, she's my guide and she's guiding me, um, it all gets very awkward. And they're like, oh my gosh, I'm speaking to a blind person. Now, what do I say? You know, and, um, I just want people to realize that, you know, it's just it's fine to ask questions, but just don't make assumptions, please. Because, um, I love talking about my experiences with Winnie, but, um, you know, just ask questions openly and don't make assumptions. And then the other thing that I wanted, people who, um, who who are our puppy carers and the volunteers at VA and seeing eye Dog and people who donate their just a huge, massive thank you. Honestly, even the smallest donation of money or of your time, you know, all adds up to make a big difference to people like me.
27:21 S1
Well, thank you so much for kind of coming on and chatting and sharing your story. And um, best of luck for 100 K your way. Do you have links to your page that people can come and donate to?
27:33 S2
I sure do. Yes. Um, I should be able to read up the URL to you now, but I can't remember it. But, um. I think if you just googled hundred k your way and Sophie Thomas and I think it would come up and you'd be able to donate to me and it'd be very much appreciated. Anyone who donates more than 50 can set me a challenge. An extra challenge so you can make me feel myself doing a silly run. Or you can make me put something on and running it. If you donate 50 or more, I'll do it. Not naked. I draw the line.
28:04 S1
No, no, no, I think PG 13 seems quite reasonable, doesn't it? Well, thank you for joining me on the show. And, um. Yeah, best of luck.
28:13 S2
No worries. Thank you very much, Harriet.
28:20 S1
If you've been listening to the Seeing Eye Dog show on Vision Australia Radio, I hope you enjoyed my interview with Sophie. If you'd like to find out more about seeing Eye Dogs, the work we do, or how you can help, head to our website at said Vision Australia Talk. If you'd like to donate to Sophie's fundraising page, including donating $50 and challenging her to something interesting or fun, you can head to her page, which is at Fundraising Vision Australia. Org forward slash fundraisers forward slash Sophie Thomas forward slash 100 K your way. The link will be in our podcast page, or you can head to the fundraising page at Vision Australia. Org and search Sophie Thomas in the bar. Thank you for listening and don't forget to tune in. Same time next week for another episode of the Seeing Dogs show on Vision Australia Radio.
