Jazzy may look like a lovable labrador to some, but to John Barlow she is his eyes and his Ferrari.
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Mr Barlow lost most of his sight to an inherited eye condition retinitis pigmentosa and was matched with his guide dog about two months ago.
Since then, they have become inseparable.
"Jazzy is my very first guide dog and before that, I was a long-term white cane user. She goes a lot quicker than a white cane," Mr Barlow said.
" She's my Ferrari. We go walking because I'm very fit and like to do something very athletic every day and she's very fast. There's a bike path behind my house and we go up and down there like there's no tomorrow.
"They say a dog is a man's best friend. Well that's certainly very true. When she's out of her harness and she's fed or had time to play, she really does go back into being a little dog."
Mr Barlow, who works for Elders Real Estate in Belconnen, spoke warmly of the positive influence Jazzy has had on his life.
With freedom and independence that Jazzy has given him, Mr Barlow is planning to do his first fun run and will take part in the Canberra Times Fun Run, presented by Westpac, next Sunday.
Mr Barlow and Jazzy will walk the five-kilometre course to raise funds for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
"I've never done a fun run before and I just wanted to be there soaking in all the atmosphere, the smells, the sounds," he said.
"I thought I'd like to give back to Guide Dogs because they've been there for me and they don't receive any government funding so they rely on donations."
Mr Barlow has raised more than $900 but hopes to raise more for the organisation which helps people with vision loss enjoy the same freedom and independence he has had with Jazzy. It costs more than $30,000 to breed and train a guide dog.
Mr Barlow also reminded people guide dogs were working animals and an invaluable asset to a person with vision loss.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT fund-raising manager Leila Davis said Mr Barlow's story showed vision impairment did not have to stop people from living their dreams.
She said there were more than 40 people on the waiting list for a guide dog. She said by supporting Mr Barlow's fund-raising, people could help reduce the waiting list.
Registrations for the 2014 Canberra Times Fun Run for the 14km, 10km and 5km courses close at noon next Saturday. Register at canberratimesfunrun.com.au.
