Next stage for new guide dog
Maggie now off to training school
After a year with her puppy walker, Maggie, the dog named by Iain and Becca Alexander of Guide Dogs’ Perth and District fundraising branch, is finally ready to go to the Guide Dog Training School in Forfar.
Iain named the dog in memory of his sister and he and Becca received a final photo of Maggie in the training harness she will wear as she goes on the next stage of her journey to become a fully-fledged guide dog.
At the end of her training, Maggie will be matched with someone who is blind or partially sighted and begin a partnership that will last for around seven or eight years.
The Alexanders said: “It was quite emotional for us all when we saw the photo. We’ve been following Maggie’s progress for a while now and thanks to the ‘pupdates’ and meeting her, we feel we really got to know her.
“To see Maggie all grown up and in her training harness makes us really proud, and it makes the time we spent fundraising well worthwhile.”
Andrea Williams, community fundraiser at Guide Dogs, said: “It’s been a joy being with Iain and Becca on their Name a Puppy journey and I’m so pleased they’ve had such a great experience.
“They’ve done a fantastic thing by funding the foundation of a new guide dog partnership. Maggie could end up working anywhere in the UK, and the Alexanders can be assured that she will make a huge contribution to the mobility and independence of a person who is blind or partially sighted.”
Perth man Iain Alexander named guide dog Maggie in honour of his late sister
If you would like to find out how you could Name a Puppy, please call Andrea Williams on 07900705100 or email andrea.williams@guidedogs. org.uk
There is also the opportunity to follow your puppy through the next stage of their training, up to qualification as a guide dog.