Young guide dogs in training paid a visit to Lindum Business Park as part of their journey to becoming life-changing companions for people with sight loss.
The visit was part of Guide Dogs UK’s monthly training and socialisation programme, which helps prepare the puppies for the sights, sounds and smells of the wider world.
The charity has recently begun using Lindum Group’s Training Centre, based on its Lincoln Business Park at North Hykeham, free of charge to host its local volunteer meetings. The in-kind donation supports the charity’s work by giving its Puppy Raisers a safe, accessible and welcoming space to meet and train the dogs.
Lindum Group has donated use of the space as part of its commitment to giving back to the community and supporting local charitable organisations.
Lindum training administrator Jennie Reynolds said: “We were thrilled to welcome the dogs, their handlers and the amazing volunteers from Guide Dogs UK to the business park.
“We understand how important early experiences are for the development of guide dogs, and we’re happy to support the charity’s work in this small way. Seeing the puppies walking around site and meeting staff was a real treat – they were very well-behaved and brought a smile to everyone’s faces.”
Guide Dogs’ Lincolnshire Puppy Development Advisor, Hannah Thompson said: “We are so grateful to the Lindum Group for letting us use their training centre each month free of charge. Having a reliable, comfortable venue where our Puppy Raisers can meet makes such a difference to the experience of raising and training our future guide dogs. Experiences like this provide valuable exposure to new environments and help the dogs build confidence, as well as giving us the opportunity to give the volunteers additional training and support.”
The puppies who visited Lindum are all in the early stages of their training, living with local volunteers before moving on to more formal instruction. Once fully trained, they will be matched with individuals with sight loss, providing independence, companionship and life-changing support.
Lindum Director Nick Hammond is fostering one of the pups as part of the training scheme. Since Christmas, he and his family have been taking care of six-month-old Buffy, who is a black Labrador / German Shepard cross.
“It’s been a brilliant experience having her at home with us in Heighington. She lives with me, my wife Vic, our two children Evan and Emily and our five-year-old spaniel Maci, who’s also played her part in showing her the ropes.
“I’m really pleased Lindum is supporting Guide Dogs in this way. Donating use of our facilities might seem like a small gesture, but it helps make a big difference to the charity and the future of dogs like Buffy.”
Guide Dogs UK is always looking for more volunteers to help raise and support puppies across the region. Anyone interested in finding out more can visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk
