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CBS Mitchelstown Transition Year students Conor Peppard and James Meaney collecting money for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind SHADES campaign. Photo: Sandra Quinn

This year marked the 11th year of the SHADES campaign in aid of Irish Guide Dogs and Transition Year students from Mitchelstown CBS were among those holding the dog leads and letting the public meet the beautifully well behaved dogs, as they collected money for the good cause.

While many people have heard of Irish Guide Dogs and have a vague idea about what they do, they may not know how the trainers get the pups to transform from giddy little pets into well trained and disciplined guide dogs and assistance dogs.

The Avondhu spoke to guide dog trainer Nadine Ruff and kennels assistant Charlotte Spencer on a visit to Mitchelstown, about their daily work with the dogs in Cork and the process they go through to make sure that these dogs are ready to be a part of someone's life to make it easier.

Nadine said that the dogs come in when they are six weeks of age and they are prepared for the puppy walking - this is where they would go to a family to get the dog used to social situations, like being on a bus, walking through the park or going into shops to 'get them used to the world' as Nadine said.

After a year, they return to the training centre for four months of intense training with trainers like Nadine. Nadine said that they do depend heavily on fundraising and she said that having the dogs on the streets with them during collection campaigns lets people meet the dogs and relate to the good cause and the service they could be supporting.

Each trainer would have six dogs for about 16 weeks and by the time the dogs are two years old, they are out in the world helping people with visual impairments or autism to make their way around the streets and shops, which otherwise may not be accessible to them.

The training would involve assessing what each dog is like, measuring their temperament and working with them to instil positive behaviour patterns and guiding skills.

They would be taught how to cross roads, stop at crossings and kerbs and avoid obstacles, so that their owner will be guided along the right path and be kept safe.

Kennels assistant Charlotte told The Avondhu that she would look after up to 70 dogs. Her job would involve daily grooming, feeding, doing health checks and educating clients about how to look after the dogs and maintain the level of care that they received in the centre.

They would also follow up with the clients once the dogs are brought home to make sure that they are gelling well together.

For more information email fundraising@guidedogs.ie or call 1850-506300.

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