Mr Roberts has a rare eye condition called Goldman-Favre Syndrome, which affects his retinas, leading to an increased sensitivity to blue light, night blindness, vision loss, and retinal degeneration.

Six months ago he graduated as a seeing eye dog handler with Nikki, a yellow Labrador-cross Golden Retriever.

"Nikki has changed my life completely," Mr Roberts said. "It's amazing the difference she has made by giving me more confidence to get out and about.

"She stops me from becoming a recluse."

Mr Roberts could be described as anything but a recluse. He has regularly played his six string guitar in a duo at the local pub and has recently completed the 210km Around the Bay in a Day cycling event.

Added to that, he has decided to learn how to ride a unicycle.

"I got a unicycle a fortnight ago and I'm learning to ride it," he said. "I've been fascinated with them ever since I was a kid.

"As long as I've got someone to follow behind I'm right. It's awesome fun."

Mr Roberts said Nikki had fitted in with his active lifestyle really well.

"She makes everything easier. I feel much more confident when I am out and about in public," he said.

Seeing Eye Dogs Australia, a division of Vision Australia, assists hundreds of Australians like Alan by matching them with specially trained dogs like Nikki.

More information, phone 1300 84 74 66,