Guidelines
- Joe's column
- Bayleys update
- The exciting life of a Guide Dog Instructor
- Puppy Fun Day
- Guide dogs are a family affair
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Joe's column
Tena koutou katoa aku hoa. It's been a busy few months, with the annual Guide Dog Appeal and International Guide Dog Day on 26 April. We celebrated with a special reception here at Guide Dog Services with over 100 supporters, including our new GDS Ambassador Dame Cath Tizard.
We're delighted to have Dame Cath in such an important role. Many of you may remember that she puppy walked Hobson when she was Governor-General.
This year's Guide Dog Appeal continued to highlight that "we need dogs". We also need many other vet and healthcare services to support our colony of 500 dogs.
Dr Terry Jeffries has just completed a report into what's required. Terry has supported Guide Dog Services for 25 years through his vet practice in South Auckland, and we'll be looking carefully at his recommendations.
Finally, I've been meeting with MAF in Wellington to discuss international travel for guide dogs, in relation to the Biosecurity Act. We're continuing to work through the issues involved.
A list of helpful hints for flying with a guide dog will be sent to guide dog handlers with the next Guide Dog Services newsletter. The hints will also be added to the guide dog protocol manual.
Bayleys update
What a celebration! At the end of April, the Wearable Arts Museum in Nelson hosted 100 Bayleys managers for their annual training conference and dinner.
In addition to using the opportunity to screen a thank-you DVD featuring footage of guide dog puppies sponsored by Bayleys, Foundation CEO Paula Daye paid tribute to the amazing Bayleys team, who have contributed more than $1.1 million in the last two years.
At the end of her brief talk, Paula introduced Bayleys Realty Group owner John Bayley to his surprise namesake, "JB", a gorgeous Curly
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Coat Retriever guide dog puppy. More than a few tears were shed, and John said that the huge commercial real estate deal he had just closed in the US dimmed in comparison to the importance of Bayleys' role as principal sponsor of Guide Dog Services.
The evening's MC's were the infamous Topp Twins, and it included an auction of over 60 tempting prizes, including a Kauri Cliffs resort package in Matauri Bay, Northland.
When the final gavel fell, $95,000 had been raised for Guide Dog Services. According to Dianne Armstrong, Group Manager, Regional Fundraising, "it was a fabulous event!"
Paula also presented statuettes to John Bayley and Bayley's National Marketing Manager Mark Macky, a huge supporter of Guide Dog Services, who is heading overseas for 12-18 months.
The exciting life of a Guide Dog Instructor
The work of a Guide Dog Instructor is blessed with variety - and it seems there is always a job to do. They might be involved in veterinary care of a sick or elderly dog one day and out fundraising the next. Their primary role though is to instruct the guide dog handler on how to work with and use a guide dog.
Firstly, they interview and assess the handler's needs, feeding that information back into the matching discussions, so they get the best match possible.
An initial period of intense training takes place either in the handler's home or in a class with others. The new team goes on developing the skills learnt during this time. It can take a couple of years for the guide dog and handler to reach their full potential together.
Those who have already journeyed through a part of their life with a guide dog may still remember the training they received and feel confident with their abilities but the Guide Dog Instructor is far from redundant! The new guide dog is much like a primary school graduate and needs their full support to ensure they aren't overwhelmed by the confidence and expectations of the handler.
They're also on hand to support
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the handler, who may still be grieving for their old retired or deceased guide dog and friend.
Regular visits with guide teams keep Guide Dog Instructors away from their desks and on the road, sometimes accompanied by trainee cadets. From time to time problems arise. The public takes a strong interest in working guide dogs and phone in with their concerns about handler safety.
Handlers occasionally experience being refused entry to a public place or difficulties with their local physical environment. It's a Guide Dog Instructor's job to investigate. "My greatest joy is having the opportunity to pass on my appreciation for the working dog" says Guide Dog Instructor Julie Hancox.
"There is great satisfaction and a quiet awe in watching an established team working together in complete harmony.
The role of an instructor provides a working environment that uniquely blends animals and people - it is without doubt a great cocktail for life."
Puppy Fun Day
It's not every day you see a puppy dressed up as a cowboy, a ballerina or even a clown, but the Guide Dog Services Puppy Fun Day had it all. Held in Auckland at the end of February the day was attended by puppy walkers, breeding stock guardians and boarders.
The day's friendly competition included best condition, best recall by age group and a fancy dress competition, followed by a BBQ.
The Grand Champion winner was guide dog puppy Tayla and second was Keyon. Best Fancy Dress was won by Dalmation Ummi who was dressed as a cowgirl. "The day is designed for puppy walkers to be able to get together and share stories," says Puppy Development Manager Paula Gemmell.
"It's also an opportunity to expose the puppies on leash to other guide dog stock, which is great for their socialisation."
Around 120 puppy walkers, breeding stock guardians and boarders attended and needless to say everyone had a woofin' great time!
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Guide dogs are a family affair
Guide dogs are just part of the family for the Rouvi's in Dunedin - three siblings plus a partner of one all have guide dogs, and couldn't imagine ever being without one.
"A guide dog gives me so much freedom. Without Fred I just wouldn't go out, I'd be stuck at home afraid to leave," says Tangi Rouvi whose guide dog Fred is a black Labrador.
"I got my first guide dog in 1994 at the same time as my younger brother Aerengaroa and now we're onto our second guide dog each. Fred lets me get out there and do my own thing, not waiting for others to help or guide me or being scared that I'm going to walk into things if I go out on my own."
Nooapii works with Insley, a Golden Retriever; Aerengaroa with Jomei, a German Shepherd and Janice Fleming (Aerengaroa's partner) with Isa, a Labrador Retriever cross.
Safety was a key reason why each family member got a guide dog. "Rather than hitting a car with your cane and trying to find your way around it, a guide dog just avoids it," says Aerengaroa. "Now I don't even know that there may be cars parked in my way."
Janice agrees, "When I use a cane I find that I walk into things or that cars just don't see me or realise that I'm vision-impaired. Now I have Isa I'm much more independent and cars stop or slow down when they see me waiting to cross the road.
"But with Isa coming up for retirement it's going to be really hard being without her while I wait for a new guide dog."
But it is worth the wait and the Rouvi family, all of whom have Retinitis Pigmentosa, are grateful for their guide dogs and the independence and companionship they give them.