Melanie Nel from the SA Guide-Dogs Association visited Holy Rosary High School to create awareness about the work the association does.
Melanie was accompanied by three guide dogs during her visit to the school.
In addition to Melanie speaking to the learners, the school held a civvies day to raise funds for the association.
Melanie explained to learners that there are two types of dogs trained by the association’s guide dogs for the visually impaired and service dogs for the partially/fully disabled.
Also read: College supports Guide Dogs Association
Each dog is taught special skills such as taking off shoes, switching on lights, assisting owners to boil water and make coffee.
Besides assisting the visually impaired or the disabled, support dogs are used to assist children with autism.
SA Guide-Dogs Association also trains visually impaired people on how to use their long white cane.
They rely solely on donors to raise funds to cover the cost of training.
Also read: Rotary Club of Bedfordview donates to South African Guide-Dogs Association
The cost per dog to train them is approximately R100 000.
Puppy raisers foster the puppies for 12-14 months, before returning them to the SA Guide-Dogs Association for formal training.
