Guide dog puppies get to train on the buses
FIRST PROVIDES OUT-OF-SERVICE VEHICLE FOR CHARITY’S USE
FUTURE guide dogs have been able to continue their training to, thanks to support from bus operator First Leicester.
When the lockdown restrictions were announced, sight-loss charity Guide Dogs stopped using public transport to train puppies, to help keep staff, volunteers and the public safe.
As all guide dog puppies need to get used to bus travel, this meant some pups have been unable to progress with their training. So First Leicester offered the use of a bus for this training activity to take place.
Graham Kensett, head of canine assisted services at Guide Dogs for the Midlands, said: “We’re extremely grateful to First Leicester for allowing us to use its out-of-service buses to train our guide dog puppies.
“Learning to travel on a bus calmly and confidently is an important part of a guide dog puppy’s development, helping to prepare the pup for its future role as a life-changing guide.
“Having access to an empty bus, provided by First Leicester, means our staff, volunteers and dogs can work in a safe environment and that we can continue to provide our essential services to people with sight-loss.”
Nigel Eggleton, managing director at First Leicester, said: “While we continue to work through the present lockdown, it is important we continue to provide bus services for people who need to make essential journeys and, in addition, support local organisations such as Guide Dogs.
“We have provided a dedicated bus in a safe environment for the activity to take place where the trainers can undertake the various processes and procedures a puppy needs to go through on its journey to become a working guide dog.”
A guide dog begins its training at about 12 to 14 months old and, in normal circumstances, most dogs qualify as working guide dogs by the age of two.