Latest news with #GuideDogs
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Specsavers Newlands in Glasgow raises £250 for charities
Specsavers Newlands, which is locally owned and operated, participated in several fundraising activities to support local causes. The team recently undertook a sponsored indoor cycle to Edinburgh, raising nearly £90 for charity Guide Dogs. They also took part in 'Wear a Hat Day' for Brain Tumour Research, collecting £142. Specsavers Newlands donated 47 meals worth of food to Glasgow SW Food Bank (Image: Specsavers) As part of their commitment to the community, a significant donation was made to the Glasgow SW Foodbank. A selection of essential goods, including tinned meat, pasta, cereal, and coffee, were donated. Read more: Rangers fans at Ibrox divided over 'underwhelming' new manager Russell Martin Update after death of woman in Glasgow's West End 'Five painful weeks': Family organises new search for missing teen Cole Cooper According to volunteers, this amounted to the equivalent of 47 meals. The store also donated vouchers, offering discounts on glasses to those who use the food bank. Scott Craig, community champion at Specsavers Newlands, said: "It's been incredibly rewarding to see the team come together to support such a wide range of causes, from our indoor cycle challenge for Guide Dogs to raising awareness on Wear a Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research. "We are also incredibly proud to support Glasgow SW Foodbank by playing a small part to help those most in need. "Access to essential items like food and vision care is so important, and we hope our donation can help make a meaningful difference in our community. "We look forward to continuing our support in the future, whether it's through further donations or fundraising efforts, to help support these vital services for as long as they're needed." Specsavers Newlands, located within the Morrisons supermarket on Newlandsfield Road, is open seven days a week.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Sight impaired at risk of losing guide dogs after dog attacks
Roaming dog attacks in Auckland could mean sight impaired people living in the southern suburbs could miss out on a guide dog after a savage attack on a handler and his guide dog. Blind low vision New Zealand said there's been several incidents, including a roaming dog attack last year that saw one of its clients having to go hospital and the guide dog having to be relocated out of Auckland. It's now relucant to place guide dogs in South Auckland. Pete Hoskin, head of Guide dogs for Blind Low Vision spoke to Lisa Owen.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Top dogs meet top hats! Guide dog puppies discover Ascot's wildest headgear
At a socialisation event at Ascot, the dogs also got used to the other sights, sounds and smells of the racecourse Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ascot racegoers saw a different kind of head turner as a group of adorable guide dogs puppies took to the racecourse as part of their training, getting up close and personal with some of the huge hats and frilly fascinators on display. The initiative comes as research from Guide Dogs reveals that over three in five dog owners (60%) have seen their dog react with fear or confusion to unusual or unfamiliar characteristics they have not been exposed to before. Nearly one in eight dogs react this way when confronted with oversized hats (13%) - equating to a huge 1.6 million of the UK's pet dogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The puppies, who will hopefully one day change the lives of people with sight loss, were invited to the racecourse for the training session in style ahead of Royal Ascot. They met individuals showcasing some mighty millinery and top hats and tails - after research showed those in uniforms also elicit reactions from dogs (12%). Ranging from 12 weeks to ten months, the puppies enjoyed playtime, treats and positive interactions such as cuddles, to help prevent any future fearfulness. Guide dog puppies interact with racegoers wearing big hats at Ascot Racecourse, as part of their socialisation training to become comfortable around unusual headwear. Research from charity Guide Dogs reveals that dogs can be afraid of hats or objects on people's heads, as they can make it harder for them to recognise even familiar individuals With its elaborate fashion and lively atmosphere, the races proved the perfect setting for the pups to encounter new sights, sounds, and scents, all of which are crucial for their development. To help support new dog owners, Guide Dogs Puppy Development Advisor, Chloe Southby, has shared her list of top tips that owners should look to follow within the first 16 weeks of their puppies lives, to help them with confidence in the world around them: ● Hats and headwear - Hats, hoods and even sunglasses can totally change how a person looks, which can confuse or unsettle a puppy. Practise wearing different headwear during play or feeding time, and encourage friends to do the same. Early, positive exposure will help your pup stay calm around all kinds of get-ups Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ● Crowded spaces - A busy crowd can bea daunting and overwhelming experience for a puppy. Start slow with small gatherings of friends and family and then build up to livelier settings like dog friendly pubs or markets. Short, positive visits help your pup learn to stay relaxed even when things get busy. If at any time your puppy looks uncomfortable, go back a stage. Progress isn't always linear Guide dog puppies interact with racegoers wearing big hats at Ascot Racecourse, as part of their socialisation training to become comfortable around unusual headwear. Research from charity Guide Dogs reveals that dogs can be afraid of hats or objects on people's heads, as they can make it harder for them to recognise even familiar individuals ● Loud noises - It's important to remember that dogs' ears are more sensitive to noise than ours. With a puppy practise playing everyday sounds your puppy may hear like busy roads or café nosies. This will help your puppy when you start to visits these locations. Gradually build up time, keeping sessions short and positive, and reward calm behaviour around noise ● Other animals - Prepare your pup by letting them meet friendly dogs on walks and visiting places where they can see other animals at a comfortable distance. No need for nose-to-nose contact but seeing them from afar, whilst on the lead, is a great start ● New smells and environments - Every new setting is a sensory overload for young dogs. Let your pup explore, giving them plenty of time to sniff and investigate. Encouraging them to sniff is hugely calming for dogs and helps them settle into new environments at their own pace Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chloe Southby, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs, explains: 'Royal Ascot offers a unique training opportunity for our guide dog puppies. Alongside the crowds, smells and sounds, it's one of the few places in the UK where extravagant hats and fascinators are the norm – which can be confusing or even frightening for some dogs. 'Some dogs are wary of new or unusual objects like hats and may find them unsettling, especially when worn by someone they know. It can make familiar people seem unfamiliar. 'That's why environments like Ascot are so valuable for socialising our puppies – helping them grow into confident guide dogs who can support people wherever life takes them.' Jacqui Greet, Corporate Social Values Manager at Ascot Racecourse, added: 'It was fantastic to have Guide Dogs here socialising their puppies, not only does it help prepare the dogs for real-world environments, but we hope it will encourage more people to visit. We are proud to provide an accessible environment for all racegoers and welcome any guest with an assistance dog.'
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow puppy Umber wins stud dog title with Guide Dogs
Umber, a black Labrador, has been selected as a stud dog, meaning he will help produce future generations of life-changing puppies. He spent his first year with volunteer puppy raiser Cara Moulton in Chepstow, where his potential as a guide dog dad was quickly spotted. Now 16 months old, he has moved to the Worcester area with Cara's son, Haydn, so he is within easy reach of the Guide Dogs National Centre in Leamington Spa. All three of Cara's guide dog puppies have been black Labradors. The first, Hunter, has gone on to qualify as a guide dog in Cumbria. Her current puppy, Diesel, is also being assessed as a potential stud dog. Cara said: "It is a joy and honour being part of these puppies' lives and helping them become confident, relaxed dogs. "They are all different, but they all love to play and learn and they give us so much back. "We are so proud to have raised Hunter, Umber and Diesel and we are already planning the arrival of the next guide dog puppy." To find out more about volunteering for Guide Dogs, visit
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Guide dog user warns taxi drivers to follow law
A man with a severe sight impairment has issued a warning to taxi drivers telling them they have to accept guide dogs by law. Nathan Major-Kershaw, 29, from Hull, said he had experienced drivers complaining when he had brought his dog Jackson into their cars, with one saying he could refuse to accept him as a passenger. The BBC has contacted the taxi firm he uses for a response. In a social media post headed "this is a message for the city's taxi drivers", Mr Major-Kershaw said: "If you do refuse to take a guide dog, you can, and will if it happens to me, be reported to licensing and have your licence revoked." Mr Major-Kershaw said, when he took a taxi in Hull, the driver complained he would have to clear dog hair from his vehicle after the journey. He said the driver told him he had the right to refuse to take him as a passenger if he chose. The Equality Act 2010 states taxis must carry guide dogs and other assistance dogs. On its website, the charity Guide Dogs states: "If the passenger is a guide dog owner, it is a criminal offence to refuse to carry their dog or to charge extra for doing so. "The only exception to this is if the driver has a medical exemption certificate from the licensing authority due to a genuine medical condition that is aggravated by exposure to dogs." Mr Major-Kershaw said he asked the taxi driver if he had an exemption certificate but he did not. In his post he said: "If you're going to drive a taxi, learn your legal obligations when it comes to disabled passengers". Mr Major-Kershaw said he had since got in touch with the taxi company which said it would talk to the driver. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Assistance dog refusal to be tackled by government The blind people who train their own guide dogs Guide dog celebrates after becoming great-grandmother
