SA Guide-Dogs Association launches freedom campaign

The message of the morning was the freedom visually impaired people deserve to have thanks to the work done by those at the South African Guide Dogs Association of the blind.

July 7, 2022

Khomotso Makgabutlane 2 minutes read

Tanya Coutts of MSD Animal Health takes a walk in the shoes of the blind and strolls with a guide dog in training while blindfolded with the assistance of a guide dog trainer. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind launched a new freedom campaign at their grounds on June 30.

Nadia Sands of the South African Guide Dogs Association addresses the crowd at the campaign launch. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Attendees took part in different experiences visually or physically impaired individuals face each day. These activities included a demonstration of the orientation and mobility centre, and walking a guide dog while blindfolded. Attendees also watched a puppy-training class with the association’s facilitators.

Saadia Sutton and Laylaa Jacobs with guide dog Jedi at the South African Guide Dogs Association campaign launch. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Board committee member at the association, Alistair Stalker welcomed all to the presentation and launch of the campaign. “I’ve been on the board for eight years, and I realised we did not have a big enough reach to the general South African public, and we didn’t have the expertise to do that. When you think about the campaign running, [what] we are giving people is the freedom to live like most of us,” he said.

PR manager at the South African Guide Dogs Association, Pieter van Niekerk has an interview with other journalists at the campaign launch. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Fellow board member and chair of the subcommittee marketing at the association Lanya Stanek worked alongside head of marketing at the association, Nadia Sands on the freedom campaign. Stanek was amazed at the turnout of community members and clients at the launch. “We want to make South Africans aware of what we do here. Everyone deserves the freedom to dream. Whether or not you are visually or physically impaired or you have autism, there’s no reason not to dream and not live the life you want to live,” she said.

Board member and chair of the sub-committee marketing at the association, Lanya Stanek chats more about the campaign to attendees. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Candice Jooste of ZooOmics takes one of the guide dog puppies for a walk while blindfolded. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Sales manager at the MSD Animal Health veterinary team, Tanya Coutts was one of the attendees who walked a guide dog at the association while blindfolded. She said the experience was a truly interesting one. “You have to put an incredible amount of trust in the dog when walking with them. It really shows the reality visually impaired people face every day,” she said.

The separate components of the South African Guide Dogs Association for the Blind logo that are offered to clients. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

One of the guide dog puppies in training pays attention in the training class. Photo: Khomotso Makgabutlane

Client of the association, Laylaa Jacobs, was present for the launch with her mother Saadia Sutton. Jacobs recently received a guide dog named Jedi at the graduating ceremony in April. “Having the guide dog with us is really like having a grandchild in the house with us, it is absolutely wonderful. I’ve witnessed Laylaa’s freedom and independence increase a lot. She can now use public transport with Jedi and get to wherever she needs to,” Sutton said.