Tag: guide dogs

  • HERO IN A HARNESS: WINSTON BEGINS HIS GUIDE-DOG JOURNEY

    HERO IN A HARNESS: WINSTON BEGINS HIS GUIDE-DOG JOURNEY

     

    At just under two years old, Winston, once a mischievous pup known for his cheeky bark and love of bucket-chasing, has officially graduated as a guide dog. Trained by the South African Guide-Dogs Association, Winston has been paired with Luwie, a seasoned handler who has welcomed him as a working partner, as well as family.

     

    Why Guide Dogs Are Important

    “I don’t see myself without a guide dog any longer,” says Luwie, who has been partnered with five guide dogs since 1994. “Since receiving Winston, I’ve been able to do everything myself again. He’s changed my daily routine completely. We bonded within a week, and now we’re just going strong.”

     

     

    How Are Guide Dogs Trained to Be So Obedient?

    Winston’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. Like many guide dogs in training, he began his journey bursting with energy and a strong personality, traits that initially made focus a challenge. “He was actually quite naughty in the beginning,” laughs Megan Reid, a trainer at the Guide-Dogs Association. “He was more interested in playing than working, and he’d steal anything he could find. But he’s incredibly food-motivated, and that helped us build trust and teach him the skills he needed.”

    The breakthrough moment came during a blindfolded test walk. Megan mistakenly believed they had reached a turning point in the route, but Winston refused to turn. “Despite my insistence, he held his ground. He knew the route better than I did. That was the moment I knew he was ready.”

    The warmhearted path of assistance dogs highlights the extraordinary dedication and training involved in matching the right dog with the right person. These partnerships restore independence and quality of life. As Luwie shares, “Winston is sociable, friendly, and incredibly helpful. He even keeps my wife company and occasionally steals her buckets!”

     

    Dedicated to Providing Soft Landings

    At dotsure.co.za, we’re proud to support this incredible and essential work, by helping to fund guide dog training and cover more than half of the Association’s monthly vet bills. It’s all part of our mission to provide Soft Landings, not just for pet parents but for overall animal welfare.

    The impact of professional pups like Winston ripples through families, communities, and hearts. And because all pets deserve protection, dotsure.co.za pet insurance also covers service dogs. Whether they’re chasing buckets or guiding the way, we’re here for them, wholeheartedly.

  • THE HEART-WARMING WORLD OF ASSISTANCE DOGS

    THE HEART-WARMING WORLD OF ASSISTANCE DOGS

     

    Learn More About the Essential Work of Fluffy Heroes

     

    The South African Guide-Dogs Association stands as a beacon of hope, changing lives through the remarkable work of assistance dogs. The puppy-raisers, the trainers, and the dogs selflessly give their time and energy to help those with disabilities gain independence, mobility and companionship. Assistance and support dogs are trained to help people living with physical or visual impairments, as well as children on the autism spectrum.

     

    Providing Soft Landings

    At dotsure.co.za, our mission is to uplift communities wherever possible. That’s why we collaborate with the Guide-Dogs Association by supporting their wonderful cause. We:

    • Cover more than 50% of their monthly vet bills.
    • Sponsor the training of future guide dogs.

    Meet Maverick and Winston, our current puppies in training!

    guide dog puppies

     

    The Heart-Warming Working Dogs

    Assistance dogs can open up a whole new world of possibilities for people living with disabilities. We tend to take for granted that we’re able to cross the street, open doors, and avoid obstacles.

    A guide dog is a highly trained working dog dedicated to assisting individuals with visual impairments in navigating the world independently. The pairing process is meticulous, considering the individual’s lifestyle, the dog’s temperament, and the specific needs of both. The formal training focuses on obedience, guiding positions, obstacle avoidance, orientation points, and traffic-work exercises. It involves the use of positive reinforcement techniques, such as clickers and food rewards. In the final stages, instructors wear blindfolds to simulate the handler’s experience, ensuring the dog can navigate diverse environments successfully.

    Service dogs, another facet of the Guide-Dogs Association’s programme, are trained to assist individuals with physical disabilities. They’re not only working dogs but also devoted companions, aiding in tasks like retrieving objects, opening doors, and even barking on command.

     

    Supporting the Cause

    The Guide-Dogs Association’s story is one of compassion and dedication. The impact of these dogs goes beyond the individual partnerships. It extends to the broader community. They rely on support to provide necessary veterinary care, fund training programmes, and continue their mission of changing lives.

     

    As we celebrate the bond between humans and their working canine companions, let us recognise the vital role of support in ensuring that these extraordinary dogs continue to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.