Claire, Volunteer Co-ordinator from our local Guide Dogs organisation, spoke to Blair Crawford on Hope FM about their work. You can listen here

Guide Dogs support 33 people who have guide dogs in Dorset and also provide ‘Buddy dogs’ for children with a visual impairment. Buddy dogs are a companion for a visually impaired child, providing companionship, support, and developing the confidence of the young person.

During the interview Claire discussed ‘Puppy Raisers’, special volunteers who help train future guide dogs. The puppies live with families from 8 weeks until around 15 months and undergo their training during this time.

Guide Dogs also support people who don’t have a guide dog, including families with children with sight loss. They hold family days so they can meet others with visually impaired children for fun events, and provide resources such as customised reading books for the children, with large print and coloured paper to meet their needs.

They can provide a range of resources to help people to have increased independence at home.

Claire said the work of Guide Dogs enable people ‘To get out and live life, regardless of whether you can see as well as others.’

To find out how Guide Dogs can help people with sight loss or to find out more about volunteering

Call: 0800 781 1444

Email: information@guidedogs.org.uk

HOPE FM link https://soundcloud.com/hopefmradio/hope-fm-best-bits-can-jan-2024