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Just five Donegal blind people
have guide dog
02.10.14
SOME 465 people are
registered blind in Co Donegal yet only five of them
have the life-enhancing services of a guide dog, a
charity providing the trusty canines has revealed.
Irish Guide Dogs is now inviting people in the
county living with vision impairments to apply for
their free training services including the Guide Dog
Programme.
“On World Sight Day on October 9 we would like to
encourage more people who are vision impaired to
apply for our services,” said the charity's ceo
Padraig Mallon.
“Some people think a guide dog may not be for them -
they may fear the responsibility might outweigh any
potential advantages. In our almost 40 years of
experience however we have received a universally
positive response to having a guide dog.” |
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Irish Guide Dogs education officer
Leann Kennedy pictured with her dog Roy. |
Among the county's
guide dog owners is Jennifer Doherty from Buncrana
and Kevin Kelly from Clonmany who have previously
described how their lives have improved dramatically
since getting their beautiful labradors, OJ and
Miles, respectively.
Irish Guide Dogs access and education officer Lean
Kennedy also has a guide dog, Roy.
“Having a guide dog can make a huge difference to a
person who is vision impaired. It gives them back
their independence and allows them to get around
safely,” she said.
Irish Guide Dogs is 80 per cent funded by voluntary
income and donations. To get more details on its
Guide Dog Programme visit
www.guidedogs.ie
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