Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Awards spotlight on guide dog volunteers
Kind-hearted Lanarkshire volunteers whose contributions greatly enhance the lives of visually impaired people have been honoured at a special ceremony.
They all donate their time to the Hamilton centre of Guide Dogs – a charity that is this year celebrating its 90th anniversary.
Volunteer puppy raiser Craig Herbert piped the guests into Saint Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church, before Glasgow man Carlos Rodriguez gave an inspiring talk about how his life changed since being partnered with guide dog, Marine.
Carlos struggled with severe depression after losing his sight and credits Marine with helping him to enjoy life again – and shed over 10 stone through their daily walks.
Guide Dogs volunteer co-ordinator, Susan Harrison, said: “This was our first in-person awards since the start of the pandemic and it was a wonderful chance to celebrate the work of our amazing volunteers.
“Volunteers are the core of our very existence and part of everything that we do. There would be no Guide Dogs without them. A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists.”
Winners and finalists at the event included people who help the charity in a number of ways, such as dog fostering, raising puppies, fundraising, campaigning and driving.
Dog fosterer Violet Murray, from Lanarkshire, picked up the ‘Expert’ award for the skills and commitment she has shown while fostering guide dogs in training.
During the past six years, Vi has fostered seven guide dogs and she is also a sighted guide, a role that involves taking the guide dog of a man out for free, off-the-lead runs, during which she acts as his guide.
Vi is currently caring for Theo – the first guide dog she has fostered straight from a volunteer puppy raiser at the earliest stage of training.
“I look after the dog, having it at home, except for the times when I take it into the training school, five days a week from 9am to 4.30pm,” she explained.
“I have to free-run the dog at weekends, letting it off the lead and maintaining the training it is receiving at Guide Dogs.
“That involves things like stopping at the kerb, and using the same commands they use and giving it lots of experiences like socialising with people and other dogs.
“I sometimes take them into cafes and out for lunches, and to visit family. Basically, they are treated like every other dog when they are not working.”
Christine Patterson, of Glasgow, accepted the ‘Partner’ award for the work she does as a dog health and wellbeing volunteer at the charity’s Hamilton office.
Christine’s nomination described her as having a “lovely, calm manner with the dogs.”
Fundraiser Stewart Houston, from Biggar, was winner of the ‘Optimistic’ award.
Stewart said: “I am delighted and shall treasure my certificate and badge.
“I am really very grateful for the nomination and receipt of this excellent award.”
The charity is currently appealing for volunteer puppy raisers to look after a puppy for 12 to 16 months, guiding them through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.
For more information visit www. guidedogs.org.uk