Volunteering for Guide Dogs

As many of you know, as a family we help with Guide Dogs locally by looking after dogs whilst in training, normally this would be for around 4 months at a time, although this year has been very different. We started the year with Jace, who we'd had since the previous summer and he qualified as a Guide Dog, leaving us in February. Next, just prior to lockdown (v1) we had Faran (trainee, who has since qualified as a buddy dog) and ended up with a permanent resident (Zara, retired guide dog, who originally was only staying 'for a week'). Zara is on the left, and Faran on the right in the picture below, both are Labrador/Retriever crosses, and share the same dad - Boris!)

(Image shows two dogs sitting on a grey tiled floor, looking like they are laughing at the camera. both dogs are wearing a blue Guide Dogs bandana around their necks)

Since starting boarding, we've also got involved in various other aspects of Guide Dogs locally, such as various fundraising events and helping to run the tours of the local training centre. How can you possibly say no to all the cute puppies!

Myself and my daughter were surprised, not only to be nominated, but to win one of the regional volunteer awards for 2020!

(Image shows 2 people smiling in the foreground. The male on the left is dressed in a dog costume and is holding the costume head is his arm. The younger female on the right is dressed in a blue Guide Dogs fleece with a high-vis jacket, and is wearing a headband with dog ears. The photo is set in a park area with a background of trees and hedges)

This year has been difficult for all, and especially so for charities raising money, who rely on good will of 'passers-by' and interaction with the public to raise funds in so many ways - the Guide Dogs only charity shop has been closed since March.

To try to help this fantastic charity, we are raising money through various means to sponsor a puppy through the first stages of training, so for anyone who would like to donate to a worthwhile cause, please help us at the link below : https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/doggy-donations

I can promise more embarrassing pictures of myself or more pictures of puppies.

(Picture shows 6 yellow puppies, asleep on a grey tiled floor, against various kitchen white goods)