Quack, Baa, Twitch, Twitch, Hop - ‘We Need Dogs!’

Media release
31 March 2004
For immediate release

Quack, quack, baa, twitch, twitch, hop - ‘We Need Dogs!’

The theme of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind’s 2004 Guide Dog Appeal ‘We need dogs!’ kicked off with a big baa of approval at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on Friday 26 March.

The sheep, duck and rabbit from the humorous and slightly unusual Guide Dog Appeal television commercial (TVC), were put to the test as their guiding skills were compared with working guide dog Quennel.

When the animals were paired up with pseudo-handlers (RNZFB staff), Spike the sheep wandered off in the opposite direction, Blow the duck flapped its wings and Polly the rabbit wouldn’t move when instructed!

Meanwhile, guide dog Quennel proved the theme “We need dogs!” as he worked expertly with his blind handler Chris Orr on a set route around the Waitemata Plaza.

Guide dog enthusiast Mark Leishman acting as MC was in attendance as were three of the blind and vision-impaired stars of the TVC - Kerry Greenfield, Maria Williams and Chris Orr.

The RNZFB Guide Dog Services staff added to the animal antics on the day as they led current guide dogs in training through the crowd.

Also present in support of the Guide Dog Appeal were staff from Bayleys Realty Group, the new principal sponsor of RNZFB Guide Dog Services with their sponsored guide dog puppy, Bayley.

“I was absolutely rapt with Friday’s event,” says Jeanette Manson, RNZFB Divisional Manager Fundraising.

“This year’s campaign is superb and I hope the public enjoys the television commercial. Showing other animals attempting to work with blind and vision-impaired people really illustrates the theme ‘We need dogs!’

“It’s a humorous take on why guide dogs are so important to our blind and vision-impaired members.”

The street appeal for the 2004 Guide Dog Appeal starts on Friday 2 April and ends on Sunday 4 April.

The RNZFB hopes to raise over $800,000 so it can continue providing guide dogs and other essential, specialised services to blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.

The RNZFB would like to thank Animals on Q and Empire Events for their support of this event.

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