Guide Dog Updates - Sage Graduates ✨ and Puppy Clara Begins her Guide Dog Journey.

Sage Graduates

Sage has qualified as a guide dog and been partnered with Leonie! Leonie has a degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa which affects her peripheral vision and turns everyday elements of getting around, like kerbs and steps, into obstacles. With Sage now by her side, she’s able to stay safe while travelling to and from university to study for her PhD.  

A new friend 

Leonie writes - Although I had been aware of Guide Dogs, I never really thought about one for myself. It was my husband who first suggested it. I applied online, and in 2015 I was partnered with Lisa, my first guide dog, up until she retired in 2023. A little while ago, I got the call about Sage, and after training together, we qualified as a new partnership! Sage is highly intelligent, very energetic, and so sweet-natured. She knows what to do, but her cheeky personality, combined with being so bright, means she also knows how to try and get extra treats! She can be strong-willed on occasion too, loves being active, and knows her own mind. Nicola, our Guide Dog Mobility Specialist, says Sage and I are very similar and extremely well-suited – I can’t think why! 

Sage settled in with me and my husband straight away and was keen to make friends with Lisa, who still lives with us. Lisa is not overly sociable, but Sage seems to have won her over! Sage’s tail whirls like a tornado each morning when she greets me, and she is so enthusiastic about life – she is such a wonderful addition to our family. 

We also have Mocha the rabbit, as well as a pet bearded dragon and a tarantula! Sage likes to say ‘hi’ to them each morning, when she sees them moving in their tanks, and she has done so well learning how to behave gently with them, particularly Mocha. 

Working with Sage is completely different to working with Lisa, and I am learning how best to handle her and what works well. We have only been together a short time, so we are both still learning. From the beginning, Sage has been a beautiful walker and loves being busy and on the go, which is perfect as I do too! Alongside work and university, I volunteer with the RNIB and go to the gym regularly. Recent trips for us have involved a couple of nights in a hotel in the Cotswolds, and visiting my youngest nephew, all of which she has taken in her stride. Sage loves our busy, varied life and is by my side for it all. 

Introducing Clara

Our new Guide Dog sponsor puppy.

Clara’s journey

Now that Clara has been vaccinated and assessed at the National Centre, she has been placed with her Puppy Raiser, Niamh, who will look after her for around a year and help her to explore the sights, sounds and smells of the world around her. It’s important that Clara has lots of different experiences, so she isn’t nervous or fearful of new situations. She will learn how to be clean and calm in both the home environment and public places, problem solve, and respond to everyday cues such as ‘sit, ‘down’ and ‘come’. 

When Clara is a confident young dog, she will be off to guide dog training school where she will learn everything she needs to know to guide a person with sight loss.

We are excited to see how this friendly puppy develops. Her training to become a life-changing guide dog.  We can’t wait to update you on her progress as she prepares to change the life of a person with sight loss. 

Good luck Clara.