Patron & Chairman Message

Patron’s message
Chairman’s message

Guide Dogs Singapore Patron

Prof Tommy Koh

Opening The Doors of Our Hearts to the Visually Impaired Community in Singapore

I am very pleased to serve as Patron of Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd (GDS). It is an organisation whose mission I embrace. Each year, I am impressed by the dedication, innovation, and compassion of the GDS team as they work to empower persons with vision impairment.

In 2024, GDS expanded its vision rehabilitation programme to include Social Workers. With this addition, clients and caregivers now benefit from a more holistic model of care—combining the practical skills taught by Orientation and Mobility Specialists with social and psychological support from Social Workers.

The Guide Dog Programme continues to make meaningful progress. Two new guide dog teams were formed this year, bringing the total to 13 since GDS’s inception. I look forward to the return of our second Guide Dog Mobility Instructor in 2025, which will increase our local training capacity and enhance aftercare support for our growing number of guide dog handlers and their working dogs. I am also pleased that GDS is progressing in its application to become a full member of the International Guide Dog Federation—an important milestone in aligning with global best practices.

I would like to thank the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and DBS for their generous support of GDS’s digital inclusion efforts under the Digital for Life programme. This initiative has empowered persons with vision impairment to gain essential digital skills—enabling them to stay connected, informed, and independent in an increasingly digital world.

Chairman

Dr. Wong Hon Tym

A Defining Year of Progress, Purpose and Inclusion

FY2025 marked a defining chapter in Guide Dogs Singapore's journey, one shaped

by steady progress, renewed capability, and a landmark achievement that reflects

more than a decade of dedication. In a landscape where the needs of persons with

vision impairment continue to evolve, we remained focused on building quality,

capacity, and trust, while advancing our mission with purpose and care.

This year, GDS became the 100th organisation worldwide to be accredited by the

International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). This milestone afrms our

long-standing commitment to internationally recognised standards in client care,

dog welfare, and professional excellence. More importantly, it serves as a

responsibility to ensure that every partnership we build and every service we deliver

continues to meet the highest benchmarks of quality and integrity.

At the heart of our work are the individuals we serve. In May 2025, we celebrated the

graduation of our fourteenth guide dog team, Manabu and Momo. Their partnership

reflects the powerful outcomes that emerge when structured training, trust, and

long-term support come together. Stories like Manabu's remind us that

independence is not achieved overnight, but carefully cultivated through consistent

effort and belief in potential.

We also laid important groundwork for the future. The return of our second Guide

Dog Mobility Instructor, following the completion of her overseas training,

strengthens our capacity to expand the Guide Dog Programme sustainably.

Alongside the growth of our Vision Rehabilitation Programme and Orientation and

Mobility team, these developments ensure that we are equipped to support a wider

spectrum of client needs while maintaining service excellence.

Beyond our core programmes, we continued to invest in outreach, education, and

partnerships. Through public engagement initiatives, professional collaborations, and

awareness-building eforts, we worked closely with communities, service providers, and

sector partners to foster greater understanding and inclusion. These eforts are essential

in shaping an environment where persons with vision impairment can navigate daily life

with dignity and confidence.

None of this progress would have been possible without the strong support of our staf,

volunteers, donors, and partners. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staf, thank you

for your continued trust. Your commitment enables us to sustain our work and deepen

our impact in a climate where resources must be used thoughtfully and purposefully.

As we look ahead, we remain guided by the same principles that have brought us this far:

service excellence, accountability, and a steadfast belief in the capabilities of the people

we serve. The journey towards a more inclusive society continues.

Together, we move forward with purpose and resolve.

Videos

Spread the Word to Make a Difference

Testimonials

Annie Mok
Overcoming the stigma of using a white cane

Delve into Annie’s Story

Ganesan Alagappan
Inspires our employees to bring the awareness back home to their family and friends

Dustin Wilburn
I wanted to nominate a charitable cause to assist those with vision impairments

Read Horsburgh Lodge’s Charity Nomination

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