15 July 2021

Queensland’s leading IVF provider sponsors Guide Dogs

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Virtus Health

A new sponsorship deal sees the Guide Dogs breeding program getting a helping hand from the Queensland Fertility Group (QFG), Queensland’s largest IVF provider. 

QFG’s new sponsorship will fund Guide Dogs Queensland’s breeding program cryotanks, and the nitrogen which is used to power the cryogenic tanks.

Oksana Struikhina, scientist and Laboratory manager at QFG, explains the importance and connection between the two groups, including the shared value of helping communities. 

“QFG helps couples, and singles achieve their dream of having a family, and we wanted to find another noteworthy cause to sponsor. We recognise the important community work of Guide Dogs. They provide much needed vision services to help people live independently.  

“Guide Dogs are bred to have excellent temperaments to make sure people with low vision and blindness are given the best chance of being supported by a healthy dog,” said Ms Struikhina.

The Guide Dogs Queensland breeding program uses artificial insemination (AI) and in order to do this, their laboratory has microscopes for sperm assessment, and liquid nitrogen fuelled cryogenic tanks where frozen genetic material is stored. 

Lee Buckingham, General Manager of Guide Dogs Services said the generosity from QFG is going to change the lives of people right across Queensland. 

“Every Guide Dog has such an important role in society, and we are committed to ensuring they have the right start to life. Thanks to you, we can continue to breed up to 100 puppies per year.” 

“All puppies are planned with an understanding of both parents’ genetic lines. Fifty percent of the puppy breeding at Guide Dogs Queensland is natural mating and fifty percent is via artificial insemination (AI),” said Lee.

Ms Struikhina said the Queensland Fertility Group (QFG) is delighted to sponsor such a well-loved and trusted brand, especially as they share our commitment and passion for the local community.

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