Bus firm in boost to guide dog training (From Gazette Series)

Bus firm in boost to guide dog training

THE training of guide dogs for the blind was given a boost this week with the news that bus operator Stagecoach is to allow guide dog trainers and puppy walkers to travel free on buses in Gloucestershire and elsewhere in the UK.

Getting future guide dogs used to travelling on public transport is an important part of their training and development and the new partnership between Stagecoach and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association should help to cut training costs.

Young guide dog pups spend most of their first year with a puppy walker volunteer, who teaches basic obedience and gets them used to a home environment and the noise and bustle of towns. They also prepare the dogs for their working life ahead, which includes taking them on public transport including buses, trains and taxis.

Mike Bird, spokesperson for Guide Dogs, said: "It is fantastic that Stagecoach is supporting us. This will make such a difference and will really help the puppies and training dogs get used to travelling on buses.

"It costs £10 a day to breed train and support each guide dog partnership and we receive no government or statutory funding."

Les Warneford, managing director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said the company was delighted to work in partnership with The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association on this new initiative.

"We want to make our buses as accessible as possible and we hope this initiative will help support our blind and partially-sighted customers in our local communities," he added.

More than 200 trainers and 1,100 puppy walkers could benefit from the scheme, which will cover the 6,000 buses operated by Stagecoach on local services outside London.