Hundreds of Irish lives are transformed by Guide Dogs

ONE of Ireland’s best-loved charities, Irish Guide Dogs, has announced record achievements for last year with even more ambitious plans for 2014.

This year, Irish Guide Dogs plans to train 240 people and dogs. The dogs are trained for its Guide Dog programme, the Assistance Dog programme for children with autism, and a mobility programme including long-cane training and independent living skills for people who are visually impaired as well as child mobility training.

Last year a record number of 197 people were trained across its range of services.

Eddie Murphy, chairman and managing director, expressed his thanks to the staff and volunteers for their hard work.

“Through the efforts of all the staff and volunteers the lives of 197 people have been transformed,

? he said.

“And with big plans for the future the charity aims to improve the quality of life of many more people in the coming year.

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The charity was also delighted to announce that even while working in the difficult financial climate it managed to raise more money through fundraising in 2013 than 2012.

CEO Padraig Mallon noted it was a great achievement in challenging times and through the support of the public he believes they can hit their target of aiming to train 266 people in 2016.

“The targets are not just a number,

? he said.

“What is really important is the 266 lives we will change for the better.

“While we have a long waiting list of people who desperately need a guide dog, all our dogs are trained to very exacting standards so that they can be a life-changing resource for the recipient family.

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Irish Guide Dogs require

?¬4.8 million per annum to run the national training centre and sustain services.

The lifetime cost of training a guide dog is

?¬38,000 and the organisation is required to generate more than 80 per cent of this amount through fundraising alone.

Every dog trained has a significant impact on the lives of those who need them and many owe their current quality of life to the dogs who aid them in their everyday lives.

Christine McGrath and her son Jamie (9) who has autism spent three years on a waiting list before being matched with assistance dog Daisy last summer.

“You have to meticulously plan everything for a child with special needs,

? she explained. We were so limited in going out. Jamie bolted a lot and safety was a huge issue. It got to the stage where we just stopped trying.

?

Now only six months after Daisy joined the household, the family are able to go for meals and go out with a lot more ease.

“I don’t even think about going out anymore,

? Christine added.

“Jamie is so happy with his pal Daisy and so much more confident. It was worth the wait, we now have a fabulous dog.

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