ElectricAid Project of the Month - One guide dog, one life transformed
Many of us don't realise or understand the amount of time, money and effort that goes into training dogs for visually impaired or blind people. The training process for the Irish Guide Dogs involves breeding over 100 dogs per year.
According to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB): "Our breeding stock is held by volunteers. At six weeks pups are placed with volunteer puppy walkers who raise, train and socialise the pups for over one year. Following puppy walking the dogs are trained by our early training unit who work with the dogs for a further five months. At two years the dogs are then matched with a blind or vision impaired person prior to a comprehensive training programme which takes place at our national training centre in Cork.
Throughout the whole training process a number of dogs are withdrawn from the programme for various reasons such as distraction, health problems, etc, ensuring that only dogs with the highest standard are matched with clients." The benefits of the end result to blind or visually impaired people are tremendous and can transform lives, giving these people mobility with safety and dignity. 35% of blind people can't or won't go out on their own without mobility training. However, with a guide dog 65% of students are in full time employment and many go back to complete Third Level Education.
IGDB applied to ElectricAid for funding of €7,000. In early 2005 ElectricAid approved and funded this extremely worthy and deserving project the full amount requested. This enabled the breeding and initial training of one guide dog, which covers the first 12 months of its 20 month training course.
Padraig Mallon, Chief Executive, IGDB, said: "We were delighted to receive your grant of €7,000. The money was used to support our dog training programme. We were delighted to receive the grant in light of the fact that over 80% of our funding is raised through voluntary donations and as you will appreciate a grant of this size makes a real difference. Getting €7,000 is a huge contribution to the €35,000 required to complete the Guide Dog Training. We very much appreciate your support, which has had a significant impact in helping us to bring independence to blind and visually impaired people through training and support."
ElectricAid Monthly Draw Winner Lyrath Estate
This special Christmas gala prize for the ElectricAid members' draw goes to Tony O'Connell, Copy Bureau, Shared Services. Tony will be presented with his prize by the Chief Executive at the ElectricAid Christmas card winners' presentations at a function in HO on Dec. 6th.
This month's prize is a break for two in the luxurious Lyrath Hotel & Spa in Kilkenny.
Located in beautiful parkland, close to the beautiful city of Kilkenny, the hotel offers an uncompromising level of service and a heartfelt welcome to all its guests.
The hotel's hallmark is its simple luxury and elegance, coupled with its contemporary style. The rooms are lavish and come complete with a mini-bar and TV.
Guests can feast on the tantalising dishes and spectacular wines that are available from the restaurant and completely unwind in the fully equipped spa.
