W.I. September Meeting: Guide Dogs for the Blind
Geoff Hunt and his beautiful guide dog Pringle delighted us all with a heart warming talk about the Charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind. The Charity runs a very comprehensive programme, from the selection of the dogs through a breeding programme to the personal training of each dog with their new owner. A guide dog will usually be a labrador, golden retriever or alsatian but they can be cross bred, for example a labrador/ retriever cross resulting in a taller dog more suitable for a taller owner. The whole process, from birth to retirement of the guide dog, costs £100, 000, with the training itself costing £16,000.
Geoff explained that the dog’s well being is always at the heart of the very intensive training programme. At any stage of training if a dog is deemed unsuitable as a guide dog, they are withdrawn from the programme and are often found alternative work, such as ‘buddy’ dog, sniffer dog or medi dog, as the early basic training is the same. Sometimes they are offered up for adoption and make good pets for people as the initial training has been done. Geoff explained that a lot of time was lost during the covid pandemic as the breeding programme had to be halted and those puppies already in the programme missed out on early socialisation, thus making them unsuitable.
Geoff spoke fondly about his own experience, being accepted as a good match with Pringle and the instant connection they had. He said that Pringle has made a huge difference to his life, giving him confidence to go out and supporting his mental health. In preparation for having a dog he made sure the garden was secure, he had the bed bowls and food ready so that when a dog became available he wasn’t refused. He pointed out that the dog should have a 40 minute walk every day, ideally with a purpose, like an outing to a cafe or shop. Guide dogs should also have 30 minutes of free time daily where they are ‘off duty’: released from the lead or harness, to savour the delights of ‘just being a dog’. Wag wag!
Through Pringle Geoff volunteers for the charity and this has meant he has made new friends. Geoff and Pringle are very well known locally. He invited us to stop and say ‘hello’ if we see them out and about, of course mentioning Chideock WI.
Lynne Hartmann & Julia D-S
Chideock WI meet together at 2.30pm on the first Tuesday of every month at Chideock Vilage Hall. We have a superb committee who arrange excellent talks and events for us and run a variety of clubs which meet throughout the month. We are ALWAYS open to new members.
All women are welcome to join us, just come along.