Elizabeth Edmonson – Guide Dogs.

Elizabeth has raised ten puppies for Guide Dogs. She told us that it costs over £100 thousand to breed, raise, train and support a Guide Dog to its retirement. All of this money comes from donations.

Elizabeth explained that the puppies spend their first year with a puppy raiser. They train the puppy by making sure it becomes familiar with shops, cafes, people and sounds. They teach the puppy basic commands and make sure that it can travel in cars and on public transport.

These experiences will support the puppy to manage the next stage of its training when it goes to one of the training centres.

Elizabeth told us that one of her visually impaired friends told her that his dog was like being given the front door keys; it gave him independence.

Thank you ELizabeth for your interesting talk. Friends of the Rydings gave a donation to the work of Guide Dogs and members were very generous on the day, putting over £70 in the collection box.