Seeing Eye Dogs' Puppy Games Is the Adorable Contest That Swaps Athletes for Guide Dog Trainees
Watch four adorable canines go head to head in the cutest sporting contest ever.
After a year's delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Olympics are almost upon us. The 2020 games will be a little different to usual, though. Firstly, it's obviously now 2021, with the postponed games being held in Tokyo from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8. Also, there won't be any spectators due to the pandemic — with neither overseas travellers nor local residents permitted to attend.
That's all well and good and interesting; however, we've found a much cuter display of sportsmanship that's also popping up this July. On Thursday, July 22, viewers can watch four adorable guide-dogs-to-be participating in their very own paw-lympics. Yep, that's a thing and we're definitely here for it.
For the second year in a row, the folks at Seeing Eye Dogs have teamed up The Petbarn Foundation to host the Puppy Games — and it'll be streaming on a device near you, too. The event will see young trainee guide dogs Chessy, Frieda, Isobel and Ivory tackle a series of skill-testing challenges, with their every move captured on camera. Watch the pups hurtle through a time trial, take on a 'puppy patience' food bowl challenge and battle it out for glory in the 'dogstacle distraction course'.
The games will stream at 1pm on Thursday via the event's website — and, whether you're in lockdown in Sydney, Victoria or South Australia, or you're located elsewhere in Australia, it sounds like perfect lunchtime viewing. The project aims to support fundraising efforts for the annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal, of course, but also promises a much-needed boost of dopamine and general happy feels all round.
Viewers can donate to the cause by hitting the link on the event's website. This year, the appeal is shooting for a goal of $750,000 to help cover the costs of breeding, training and caring for at least 15 Seeing Eye Dogs.
Can't make Thursday's viewing? Fear not, the full event will be up on YouTube to rewatch any time you need a mood boost.
The Puppy Games will stream via the event's website from 1pm on Thursday, July 22.
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