27/05/2026
A note from Hailo’s co-founder Jon:
Last week, at Hailo, we said goodbye to one of our founding members - Lockie, Santi’s original guide dog.
Lockie is part of the reason Hailo exists.
When Hailo was really just an idea, I spent a day with Santi to better understand his experience navigating public transport. It was a day that fundamentally changed my perspective. I watched Santi standing on hot bitumen waiting for a bus, while Lockie shifted his paws to avoid the heat. Then Santi moved into the shade to protect Lockie, only for the bus to pass them by.
In that moment, the “need for Hailo” became very real to me.
Lockie was more than a guide dog. He was Santi’s wingman.
When I first met Santi, he was in his early 20s, and Lockie had already been by his side for many years. Walking through QUT together, every journey took longer than it should have. Not because of obstacles, but because of connection. Every few metres, someone would stop: to talk to Santi, or to say hello to Lockie. And like any great wingman, Lockie played a part in Santi’s social life.
Lockie had two distinct modes.
When he was in his harness (his “suit”) he was all business. Focused, precise, and completely committed to his job. Like the best of the Men in Black, nothing distracted him from making sure Santi got safely to where he needed to go.
But when the harness came off, everything changed. The switch flipped, and Lockie became an energetic, joyful dog, ready to meet everyone and do everything - making up for a full day of discipline in one burst of personality.
He truly was an extraordinary dog.
Lockie travelled the world, spent countless hours on planes, and experienced cities most of us only dream about. It takes a very special dog to do what he did - and to do it with such consistency, intelligence, and heart.
Lockie made the world more accessible - not just for Santi, but for everyone who witnessed what true partnership looks like.
Rest easy, Lockie.
[Image 1: Lockie, a black guide dog, sits by a pool in his harness.]
[Image 2: Lockie lays under seats in a bus in the disability seating area.]
