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IN THIS ISSUE 4 Ed’s note 5 Inspiration

Poem: If for Dogs

6 Feature

Car Raffle Competition

8 Head Office report

Marketing news

11 Training report

Service Dogs – creative training

12 Training report Guide Dogs – obstacles 14 Puppy Raising Puppy-proof your home 16 Meet the team Monica Fica 17 Insight Clicker training at GDA 18 Storyline Chris Boyle and Pringle

27 Remembering friends People and pets who have passed 28 Info GDA staff upskilling 29 Storyline Bigger than the sky 30 KwaZulu-Natal report Marketing news 31 Puppy Raiser Schokolade’s career change 32 Puppy Raising FAQs about Puppy Raising 34 Celebration of our Service Clubs Rotary Club (part 2 of 2) 35 COM report Stories from the field 39 Meet the team

Teagan Schwerin

41 Giving back Legacy Club

20 Graduates Our latest graduates

42 Cape Town report Fundraising news

22 Nursery news Greetings from Puppy Block

45 Gala Dinner Lions International celebrates International Sight Day

25 Volunteer Dax Soegaard

46 Health

26 In memory of Special memory plaques

47 New ideas

Publisher: Panorama Media Corp / Animaltalk Editor: Laura Kapelari Managing Editor: Noleen Fourie Studio Manager: Cronjé du Toit ˚ Designer: Perpetua Chigumira-Wenda Senior Sub-editor: Vanessa Koekemoer ˚ Sub-editors: Nicolette Els ˚ Anandi Bertram Advertising: 011 468 2090, advertising@panorama.co.za Cover picture: Victoria Pilcher

Friend in Harness is produced and sponsored by

Enhance your vision with the right lighting

Fresh faces on the GDA team

South African Guide-Dogs Association Head Office and Training Centre: 126 Wroxham Road, Rietfontein, 2IR, Sandton, P O Box 67585, Bryanston, 2021 Tel: 011 705 3512 Fax: 086 506 3364 Email: info@guidedog.org.za Website: www.guidedog.org.za SA Guide-Dogs @SAGuide_Dogs sa_guide_dogs Cape Town Office: P O Box 2674, Clareinch, 7740 Tel: 021 674 7395 Fax: 021 674 7397 ˚ Durban Office: P O Box 1267, Umkomaas, 4170 Tel: 039 973 0387 Fax: 086 580 3785

˚

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Ed’s Note Ed’s Note

Appeal for books

DATES TO DIARISE

Are you a bookworm suffering from a lack of space for those sought-after new additions?

Fear not! GDA is currently collecting books for our next book sale. Kindly drop pre-loved books at our Johannesburg office during office hours. We would appreciate it if Capetonians pre-arrange a time for dropoffs at our Cape Town office, as the small Cape Town team is not always in the office. You can reach them on 021 674 7395.

All book sale proceeds go toward ensuring the gift of independence, mobility and companionship.

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FEBRUARY 2016 EDITORIAL

O

h, how time flies! As I write, the year is already in full swing.

Instead of updating you about my time here at GDA (this would fill many more pages!), I’d like to let this issue of our Friend in Harness magazine speak for itself.

Chock-full of stories about loyal canine companions helping their humans tackle the challenges life has thrown their way, Orientation and Mobility Instructors reporting on trials and triumphs from the field, as well as (many!) new beginnings at

Puppy Block, this issue is sure to inspire you for the new year.

My wish is that you will read this issue of our Friend in Harness magazine from cover to cover, and be motivated not only to be the best version of yourself that you can be, but to help others achieve the same.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank

Laura Kapelari

• Cape Town Love Your Guide Dog Mediterranean Evening: 26 February 2016 • Cape Town Cycle Tour: 6 March 2016 • Two Oceans Marathon: 26 March 2016 • Cape Getaway Show: 1-3 April 2016 • Golf Day at Westlake Golf Club: 8 April 2016 • World Sight Day Gala Dinner: 15 October 2016 • Gauteng Graduation: 17 April 2016 • Graduation: 5 June 2016 • Golf Day at Kyalami Country Club: 10 June 2016 • Winter Picnic Concert: 26 June 2016 • Nelson Mandela Day with S A Guide-Dogs: 18 July 2016 • Winter Festival: 31 July 2016 • Fly Fishing: 27 August 2016 • Annual Guide-Dogs Ball: 10 September 2016 • KwaZulu-Natal Highland Gathering: 30 April 2016 • Cars in the Park: 15 May 2016 • Royal Show: 27 May to 5 June 2016 • Garden Show: 23-25 September 2016

Further information can be obtained by contacting our Johannesburg office on 011 705 3512 or emailing PieterV@guidedog.org.za frie n d

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Inspiration Inspiration

IF FOR DOGS If you can wag your tail when all about you they are tucking theirs and blaming it on you If you can trust yourself when humans doubt you but forgive them for their doubting too If you can wait for your human and not be tired by waiting or be left for hours but never leave yourself Or be unloved but don’t give up on loving but don’t bark or whine too loud If you can dream and not wake up your master if you can think and tilt your head just so If you can meet with triumph and puppy mischief and treat those two as simply things you know If you can know the truth when it is spoken twisted by humans who will sometimes lie If you can comfort your person when their life gets broken then cuddle in their laps and let them cry If you can make one heap of all your chew toys and risk them on a pitch or toss to fetch If you can give your heart and leave your joys to ensure your loving memory when you’re gone And hold on where there is nothing in you except the voice of your master saying “Hold on” If you can howl with others and keep your home safe or walk on a lead but not lose your steady pace If neither cats nor loving friends can hurt you if all humans count on you for games of chase If you can fill an unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of licks and sitting up Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it and – which is more – you’ll be a dog, my pup.

MK Clinton 2016

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Feature Feature

CAR RAFFLE COMPETITION Car Raffle draw

GDA staff and Nedbank Bank Manager Roland Chapman having fun with the Zorb Ball

A

fter a busy year promoting our Car Raffle Competition at the various expos and through our dedicated network of GDA supporters, who took it upon themselves to sell raffle tickets to their own networks, the competition finally came to a close on 16 October 2015.

The 2015 Car Raffle draw was held at S A Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind premises in Paulshof on Wednesday, 25 November 2015. We decided to use a Zorb Ball to mix all the tickets, which GDA staff had great fun tossing around. Ticket number 27392 made it through our rigorous random selection process and bank manager approval.

Congratulations go out to our lucky winner, Mr Andries de Lange, who won the 2015 competition car – the eye-catching Suzuki Alto. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and who convinced others to do so. You helped us raise in excess of R600,000 toward the training of future Guide, Service and Autism Support Dogs as well as Orientation and Mobility Practitioners.

Last but not least, a big thank you to Fun Jumping Castles for coming on board with the

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Zorb Ball and helping to make the Car Raffle draw such a great success – we look forward to working with you again very soon!

2016 Car Raffle Competition Though it is said that all good things must come to an end, our Car Raffle Competition will be back in full force in 2016. The closing date for our 2016 Car Raffle Competition will be 14 October 2016. A Suzuki Celerio – newcomer to the city car class (offering plenty of space as well as fuel economy) – is up for grabs.

The draw will take place on 23 November 2016. Should you wish to sell Car Raffle tickets in your personal capacity, we have included a Car Raffle Sheet for this very purpose. Please remember to send in or drop off your completed Car Raffle Sheets and EFT the collected money well before the closing date. This will ensure that those who have purchased tickets will be entered into the draw. We are also selling Car Raffle tickets in our online shop. Visit https://shop.guidedog. org.za to buy tickets online. The Marketing Team looks forward to seeing you all at this year’s line-up of expos and shopping malls.

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You can make a difference Here’s another way you can support Guide Dogs – subscribe to Animaltalk

Cool

Mags .com

For every subscription received by June 2016, Panorama Media Corp will donate R30 to GDA.

DONATION VOUCHER This voucher entitles you to a ‘meaningful’ Animaltalk subscription for a 12 or 24 month period. Go to www.coolmags.co.za, and at the checkout fill in the code GDAsub. The R30 donation will be flagged and sent to GDA directly. Then sit back and relax, your favourite magazine is on its way to you.

VOUCHER VALID UNTIL END JUNE 2016

R30 for G DA

Head Office Report Head Office Report

MARKETING NEWS Marketing and fundraising highlights of 2015

I

t has been an incredibly busy but productive year for our marketing and fundraising department at Head Office. Though we had many more events in our calendar, I would like to highlight the most successful ones as well as thank the sponsors who made them possible.

all Night B Starry shing Fly fi

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Starry Night Ball The S A Guide-Dogs Starry Night Ball was held on 12 September 2015, at the spectacular Montecasino Ballroom, Fourways, thanks to our very generous venue sponsor, Montecasino. We raised more than R450,000, which will be used to train working dogs.

Our patrons, the ever-popular South African singer, songwriter and actor, Danny K, and his wife, Lisa Koppel, charmed the audience throughout the night, while comedian Ndumiso Lindi had guests in stitches with his sharp humour. MC Ashley Hayden looked as stunning as ever in her turquoise ballgown. Her longstanding passion for our cause was evident throughout the proceedings. Guests put on their dancing shoes as Doug Ramage (DJ Mellow Yello) spun a variety of records throughout the night.

The sponsorship drive kicked off as the Miss Earth Finalists presented the six puppies – hearts were stolen and wallets opened. Many generous pledges were made on the night, including LCV Engineering’s R80,000 Platinum Sponsorship pledge and Montecasino’s extremely generous pledge of R150 000, while the silent auction – headed up by electronic auctioneer sponsor Lumi Insight – ensured that everyone could bid on their desired lots.

Thanks also go out to Blond Productions, Dream Sets, Bushbaby Communication, Môreson Wines, Estée Lauder, Panorama Media Corp, Bob 2 0 1 6

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Lad ies’ Mor ning Tea

Martin, African Water Solutions, Oxygen for Life/ Cellfood and The Braaiman, without whom this event would not have been possible.

A big thank you to everyone who dressed up to the nines and made this night such a special experience. Your support will help provide a better future for the differently-abled community of South Africa. We look forward to seeing you again at the next ball, which will be held on 10 September 2016.

Fly fishing in Dullstroom We held our annual fly fishing competition in Dullstroom on 29 August 2015. It was a beautiful spring morning as 43 anglers headed out with the goal of catching the longest fish.

The winning trout were caught five minutes apart at the two dams that were the furthest apart.

Dr Stephen Watson and Graham Tait, a previous winner (2009), each caught a 59cm trout. The two winners decided to negotiate a deal, and they agreed that Graham would accept first prize of a Mavungana fishing trip to Chile. Stephen and Graham each agreed to give a further donation toward the training of working dogs.

This event was made possible through Jonathan and Sarah Bolton of Mavungana Flyfishing and the headline sponsor, Nedbank Private Wealth. A special thank you to cash sponsor De Wit Motors (Ermelo), and everyone who donated auction prizes.

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Ladies’ Morning Tea S A Guide-Dogs held its first Ladies’ Morning Tea on 7 November 2015. It was a delightful day under the syringa tree.

Guide Dog owner Melette Els and Puppy Raiser Trina McKinley entertained guests with their inspiring talks. Aspiring caterer Taylor Farrimond, from the International Hotel School, volunteered his services for our Ladies’ Morning Tea and put together many delectable sweets and savouries for the guests. He added an air of spring to the event through carefully selected décor. The Tea Merchant generously sponsored both hot and cold teas that came in various delicious flavour combinations. These were enjoyed by all – even self-confessed coffee lovers!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a special morning. It was definitely a day to remember and we look forward to hosting another Ladies’ Tea this November.

Charity Golf Day at Ebotse Golf and Country Estate On 13 November 2015, S A Guide-Dogs Association held its Golf Day at the pristine Ebotse Golf and Country Estate in Benoni.

The Golf Day kicked off with a two-tee start from 11am, as 72 avid players battled it out against one another. The format for the day was a ‘mystery fourball alliance’, which many players seemed to have enjoyed immensely. f r i e n d

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Head Office Report Head Office Report olf Day Charity G

Time Freight, BJNC Trading and SSG Consulting sponsored holes, providing both snacks and drinks to the golfers passing through.

We also had four ‘closest to the pin’ competitions, one of which was the challenging blindfold competition at the 11th hole. Players took a shot under blindfold, and surprisingly, some made their best shots there.

Thanks to our generously sponsored fourball prizes, everyone went home a winner!

Golfers were also given a goodie bag at registration, packed with essentials such as a pack of tees and a stress ball for those especially difficult shots. Team ‘All Procurement’, captained by Pierre Smit, took the number one spot on the day.

Thank you to the organising team for putting together a spectacular event. Thank you

tum omen ge M 7 4 9 en Chall Cycle

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to our valued sponsors for the part they played in making this day a success and thank you to SAB Miller for keeping our golfers hydrated and happy throughout the day.

We look forward to seeing everyone again this year for what will hopefully be an annual golfing event on the East Rand.

Team Guide-Dogs at the 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge On 15 November 2015, after months of training, Team Guide-Dogs was primed and ready for what was to be a very challenging race through Johannesburg, faced with strong winds and a heatwave. The cyclists, donning their turquoise Team Guide-Dogs cycle jerseys, triumphed.

S A Guide-Dogs had a post-race hospitality stand at the finish. Ice-cold towels as well as food and drinks made post-race recovery a little easier for Team Guide-Dogs riders.

Throughout the year, riders have been raising additional funds via sponsorship for S A Guide-Dogs Association. A combined total of R121,446.14 in sponsorship funds and donations was raised – a truly admirable feat!

Team Guide-Dogs riders also competed against one another to see who could raise the most money via sponsorships. The winners of the Team Guide-Dogs sponsorship drive 2015 are as follows: 1. Graham van Niekerk – R23,397 2. Augusta Saunders – R12,590 3. Kerry Millar – R12,180 4. Suna de Villiers – R11,460 Well done and thank you to all Team GuideDogs riders for their support and for going the extra mile for S A Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind. You have helped make this a really successful project that assists us in reaching even more people through our working dogs as well as Orientation and Mobility Practitioners.

We look forward to seeing you all again in the 2016 race. If you would like to join Team GuideDogs in 2016, please contact Laura at LauraK@ guidedog.org.za Laura Kapelari 2 0 1 6

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Training Report Training Report

SERVICE DOGS Creative training

Trampoline time!

I

’d like to tell you more about Service Dog training. Many children with autism seem to benefit from trampolines and enjoy having their dogs join them. Where this is required the dog needs to get used to this beforehand. Hence the need for a trampoline in our training equipment arsenal.

Research* has shown that children with autism or Asperger’s syndrome can benefit from regular exercise, and that trampolining in particular can provide many additional benefits. Sitting or bouncing on a trampoline can help increase co-ordination by improving their bilateral

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motor skills. Trampolining itself is a very gentle form of exercise due to the fact that the bouncy trampoline pad soaks up a large proportion of the impact.

The activity of trampolining can provide children with a great sense of fun and wellbeing.

Being outside allows children to get fresh air and sunlight, both of which provide their own health benefits. And allowing siblings to join in with the trampoline fun can also help to provide huge social benefits to children with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.

On a smaller scale, we go through a large amount of old mobile phones in the initial phase of Service Dog training until the dogs are taught to handle them gently. Many thanks to our volunteers who collect them for us.

Our Autism Support Dogs have a wardrobe larger than the average working dog. They wear the red jacket that identifies them as Service Dogs, a soft harness and a lead for the child to hold on to, and a lead and collar for the main handler to use. All working dogs have an identity tag.

The leads have been specially adapted for people who are physically disabled. The leads have a Velcro strip which eliminates the use of potentially difficult clips. Occasionally we use carabiner clips to attach leads to, if a particular owner finds them easier to use than other options.

Working with Service Dogs and their owners has taught me to be inventive, think out of the box and use my creativity. I am truly thankful for this and look forward to finding solutions that make the lives of my clients a little bit easier. * Kinsey Harris, 4 October 2015: http://www. bouncevalleycottage.com/kids-with-autismbenefit-from-trampoline-exercise/ Maxine Geddie f r i e n d

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Training Report Training report

GUIDE DOGS Obstacles

Dog waiting at the downkerb for instruction from the handler

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voiding obstacles in Guide Dog work is one of the most difficult tasks that a Guide Dog has to learn. Our Guide Dogs are taught to walk in a straight line. Any route is made up of a series of straight lines.

The Guide Dog owner will direct the dog at each orientation point.

Road crossings are natural orientation points. The step from the pavement into the road is called the ‘downkerb’, and the step up onto the pavement is called the ‘upkerb’. At each orientation point, the handler will give

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Dog crossing the road at the handler’s request

the dog his next instruction. The dog may be told to go straight, right, left or back.

If an obstacle blocks the dog’s path, the dog will go around the obstacle and return to the straight line as soon as possible.

Negotiating stationary obstacles is the easiest; the dog gets practice doing this during his training. Moving obstacles, such as pedestrians, are more difficult as their actions are unpredictable. Height obstacles are the most difficult, as the dog gets less practice of this in the environment. A dog’s eye level is closer to the ground than a person’s eye level, which makes it harder 2 0 1 6

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Did you know?

Salty an d two Guid Roselle were safely le e Dogs who d their o out of th wners e Tw during th in Towers e 9/11 terror att acks

Dog arriving at the upkerb, where the handler will give the instruction of the intended direction. The dog also safely negotiated an obstacle

to navigate such obstacles. Fortunately, the introduction of the clicker has made this task much easier, and more fun, for dogs to learn.

During training, the handler initially chooses the correct path through the obstacles. As the dog gains experience, the handler allows the dog to make decisions.

If the dog is correct, he is praised. If the dog makes a mistake, the handler will repeat the exercise. If necessary, the handler will subtly clue the dog to assist him in making the correct choice. As time passes, the dog gets more skilled at avoiding obstacles and 2016

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returning to the straight line. In the final stages, the instructor will check that the dog understands the different obstacles by using a blindfold on a given route. This means that the handler can’t influence the dog’s obstacle work at all. If the dog passes this test, we know that he is ready to guide a person who is visually impaired.

Guide Dogs in training practice many different routes in a variety of environments to ensure that they really do understand the obstacle challenges in the real world.

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Puppy Raising Puppy Raising

PUPPY-PROOF YOUR HOUSE

Puppy-proofing will ensure your pup’s safety

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ou have done research on which breed of dog to get, where you should get him from, and how much you’re prepared to pay. You’ve purchased the bed, bowls, food, toys and the puppy himself.

BUT …

Have you checked your home and garden, soon to be the puppy’s home, for potential dangers and hazards?

Having a puppy is a wonderful way to remind your spouse and children how to be tidy – if it’s left lying around the puppy WILL

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destroy it! The problem with this is that you might end up with a very sick puppy who requires veterinary treatment at vast expense to remove the offending item from his throat or stomach. A puppy in a new environment is like a kid in a candy store – EVERYTHING is exciting and requires investigation!

Remember that puppies explore using their teeth and mouths in most instances; these are essentially their fingers. The best way to check for hazards is to get on your hands and knees, as low as the puppy is, and crawl around looking for all potential problems in the puppy’s line of sight or anything lying around on the floor. Puppies will also jump to get hold of something, so be aware of how high he can leap and search at this level as well. Make notes as you move along, so as not to forget at the end of the search.

You should be looking for cushions, shoes, slippers, magazines, those beautiful coffeetable books, ornamental statues, table doilies hanging over the sides, wrap blankets hanging over the back of a couch, children’s toys, remote controls, mobile phones, and any ornaments small enough for the puppy to get into his mouth.

If you have an open fireplace, make sure to put a sturdy grid in front of it. Open bar heaters are extremely dangerous for a puppy and should not be used until the puppy is much older. Heaters that are sealed are a far safer option while the puppy is small.

Check that all wiring is clipped snugly to a wall along skirting boards. Don’t allow any wiring to hang. Should the puppy chew through the outer covering, the electrical surge could potentially be fatal.

Do a search for any toxic household plants and remove them.

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Puppies like to explore using their teeth and mouths

If you have other pets such as goldfish or hamsters in a cage, move them far back and out of reach.

If you have an office in the house, check for paperclips, staples and drawing pins. Also check for loose cables, as there are usually plenty in an office. You could use wrapping to hold the wires together and run this along hooks in the wall high enough to be out of the puppy’s reach.

The kitchen tends to be the most hazardous area for puppies. Put a lock on your cleaning cupboard, as most cleaning liquids are poisonous to puppies. You may want to consider putting childproof locks on all cupboard doors. If you are cooking, rather keep the puppy out of the room so you’re not likely to trip over him while carrying hot oil or boiling water – you could use a crate or child barrier. Make sure you reward the puppy every time he goes into the crate, and that there is a soft, comfortable bed inside so that the puppy views the crate in a positive light, not as punishment.

Make sure your dustbin is high and sturdy to avoid being knocked over and scrounged through. NEVER allow your puppy to get hold

of any form of plastic bag.

Definitely check that your bathroom cupboards where your medicines are kept cannot be accessed by the puppy – again, preferably install locks. ALWAYS keep the toilet lid down as puppies have been known to fall in and drown. When you or a family member are running a bath, know where your puppy is at all times and keep the bathroom door closed.

The goal of puppy-proofing is essentially to keep your puppy and your belongings safe.

It’s worth taking the time to ensure the family and puppy have time to enjoy one another.

Leigh de Beaufort

Make sure that your puppy has a variety of toys!

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Meet the Team Meaat the Team

MONICA FICA Kennel and Puppy Block Assistant

Who has influenced the person you are today?

Rose Chamberlain.

H

aving been at GDA for a full 21 years, Monica Fica tells us a bit more about what she does.

How long have you been working for S A Guide-Dogs Association (GDA)?

I have been working for GDA for 21 years.

What do you do for the Association?

I am the Kennel and Puppy Block Assistant. I clean and look after the dogs at Kennels. I also take care of the whelping dogs and assist when the pups are born. I am a granny for the Association’s grandchildren.

Do you have a favourite Guide Dog at the centre, and if so, what is his name?

Yes, all of them! They are my favourite special pups.

What initially prompted you to get involved with GDA? I am not sure what initially made me want to get involved, but now it’s the dogs.

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Which song is guaranteed to put you in a great mood for the rest of the day?

Gospel music by Hlengiwe Mhlaba (Sewakhile).

Which character from a movie or novel do you most identify with?

Jennifer Lopez’ character in Enough.

What is your favourite part of the job?

The pups – from the day they are born until they start chewing your shoes!

Which GDA event held during the year do you most look forward to?

Open Day. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why?

I would go back to the 1980s. Back then, people respected one another and children respected adults.

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?

Cape Town.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

Doing my laundry on Saturday, and then going to church on Sunday.

What’s your favourite food?

Vegetables and Inkomazi.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can sing!

If you could have a superpower, which would you choose?

Having the money to help others.

What’s your favourite day of the year, and why?

Any day as long as it’s a day that makes me happy.

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Insight Insight

CLICKER TRAINING UPDATE Effective approach to training introduced at GDA

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t has been almost a year since Cheryl, Permit and I came back from attending a Guide Dog Clicker Training conference at Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) in California.

We have started with the rollout of this positive training method in our Guide Dog training programme.

The clicker is used as a marker, and a food reward is given to reinforce the good behaviour. The instructors feel that the new training approach has changed the way they work with dogs. The dogs are given the ability to think for themselves instead of relying on the handler alone. The dogs show more willingness and higher levels of concentration. The dogs also learn guiding work quicker, their general understanding of guiding principles is improved, and they are more confident in their work.

One exercise that has made an enormous difference to our work is using the clicker to teach the dog height obstacles. Height obstacles have always been more difficult to teach than general obstacles. There are fewer height obstacles in the natural environment (so the dog gets less practice), and dogs are not naturally aware of height obstacles, as they can easily fit below many obstacles that would be a problem for a human.

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Asia demonstrating clicker training with height obstacles

With clicker training, the dog is rewarded for touching an obstacle at dog-nose height. Once the dog does this reliably, the obstacle is gradually moved higher and higher. The dog has a good reason to look up, as he will get a reward for indicating the obstacle. Suddenly, there is a very good reason for being aware of height obstacles. The obstacle has an impact not only on the handler’s forehead, but also on the dog’s stomach (to the benefit of both).

Dogs in training are also being rewarded for finding obstacles (bus stops, traffic light poles, post office boxes and the like). Once they are working with a person who is visually impaired, they understand the importance of finding a destination that is important to

Height obstacles are more difficult to teach than general obstacles

their owner (because it will also be important for the dog).

Food rewards are initially given for each correct behaviour. Over time, the food rewards are given randomly. This actually strengthens the dog’s willingness to perform the correct behaviour.

Some of the dogs who have been trained using clicker training will start class early this year. Guide Dog owners will be taught how to continue this training method with their working dogs. We are always looking for ways to improve the work that we do.

I believe that we are achieving that with happy, confident dogs who enjoy being guides.

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Storyline Storyline

SERVICE DOG OWNER Wild adventures, starring Chris and Service Dog Pringle

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hris Boyle has been a quadriplegic for over 48 years, having broken his neck as a young man. Since Pringle came into his life, the pair has gone from one adventure to another.

Years ago, Pringle and Chris visited a game lodge in the Limpopo area. As they walked up to the reception, Chris noticed a sign reading ‘Please don’t feed the lion.’ Intrigued, they entered the building and came across the most endearing sight. There was, in fact, a 10-week-old lion cub in the reception area.

Rejected by his mother, he was being bottlefed by the owners. Pringle, then only a few weeks into his service, didn’t quite know what to make of the situation – wild animals are often unknown territory for dogs. When the little cub came over to nuzzle Chris for Pringle’s treats. Pringle, though not easily riled, settled on giving the little lion a

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meaningful ‘look’ to keep his distance and proceeded to ignore him.

Pringle’s encounters with South African wildlife didn’t end there. On a different occasion, Pringle, Chris and the rest of the family decided to go for a walk after supper at a game reserve they were staying at. As the others marched on, Pringle and Chris fell back in order to enjoy the magnificent silence of the bush. Chris noticed that Pringle kept darting furtive looks at the bush next to them.

Suddenly, they heard a tiny twig crack in the stillness. At that point, Pringle stopped right in front of Chris’ power chair, not letting him move. When Chris started hearing movement in the bushes nearby, he shouted for the rest of the group to be quiet. However, the noise had stopped by then and everyone put it down to a wandering kudu.

At breakfast the next morning, the Camp Manager asked whether the group had enjoyed their evening walk. Caught off guard, they enquired further. Apparently, the radio receiver had picked up Chris’ power chair (it had been put in place to ward off rhino poachers) and that noise in the bushes had been Roger the rhino saying hello.

Chris still remarks on Pringle’s calm and placid behaviour, even when faced with an unfamiliar animal many times his size and weight only centimetres away.

In these encounters with wildlife, one should remember that dogs and wild animals are not natural friends. Pringle’s calm behaviour attests to the training and socialisation that go into making a Service Dog a reliable and loyal helper for his owner.

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Chris Boyle’s Service Dog Pringle

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Perhaps the most touching and revelatory story is the following one, which shows Pringle’s dependability and the usefulness of a Service Dog during a crisis.

In Millstream, Limpopo, Chris and his family went to a local farmhouse restaurant, which also had a beautiful waterfall on the property.

Chris and Pringle were itching to see the waterfall, and set off while the others were still busy eating. Pringle trotted alongside Chris as they navigated the narrow path going into the valley that ended at the waterfall. A short while later, the concrete path ended and gave way to rougher terrain. Soon thereafter, they had arrived at their destination.

The waterfall was a beautiful sight – Chris and Pringle got so close they could feel the spray on their cheeks. On the way back, Chris became increasingly aware of the steep embankment leading to the river. As the path narrowed, one of the pins underneath Chris’ power chair got hooked on a root. The chair slowly teetered over and Chris’ head was level with the river. Not able to right the chair, Chris knew he was in

trouble and sent Pringle for help.

Pringle took off like a bullet, leaving dust in his wake. A short while later, a large man and two young boys came down the path. This turned out to be the farmer who owned the property. He helped Chris back into the power chair as Rose, Chris’ wife, came striding down the path – Pringle had found her too!

One year to the day, Chris and Pringle returned for a second visit. This time, the farmer accompanied the pair, making sure Chris did not deviate from the path. Once Chris reached the section in the path where the concrete ended, Pringle, as if remembering what had happened one year previously, prostrated himself directly in front of the power chair and refused to let Chris pass.

While Pringle might look like a lion to some, with his golden locks and Retriever mane, he most certainly has the memory of an elephant!

GDA wishes you both many more adventures together!

Laura Kapelari f r i e n d

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Graduates Graduates

OUR LATEST GRADUATES New partners start their journey together

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3 1 GDA Chairman Dave

Parker handing the harness to Claire 2 Percy and Hayley’s September 2015 class 3 Henti and Vincent 4 Hector and Waldo

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raduations are not only emotional and life-changing experiences, but also celebrations of the newfound freedom and companionship a visually or physically impaired person has thanks to their working dog. We wish each of these partnerships many happy years together and thank our Puppy Raisers for giving each of these working dogs a happy puppyhood.

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GUIDE DOG CLASSES September 2015, Johannesburg Instructors: Hayley Cumming and Percival Tlholoe Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser Eugene Roberts Qiana Frikkie and Theresa Loots Mickey van Niekerk Jewel Jhanet van der Merwe Soonili van Spaendonck Valiant Catherine Gibson Juanita Horn Wakele Jenny Lobban Hendrik Lubbe Uno Natalie Owen Sakkie Parsons Pedro Lanti van der Merwe Trevor Mackin Vici Bob and Vee Pinker September 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Mandlenkosi Nxumalo Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser Claire Payet (domiciliary) Wanja Elizabeth van der Merwe September 2015, Cape Town Instructors: Cheryl Robertson and CharnĂŠ Maujean Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser Henti Olivier Vincent Tracy and John Loos Jeremy Opperman Gatsby Alison Carter-Johnson Hector Loftus Waldo Celeste and Frank Kusel Bernadette Steenkamp Gabby Peter and Sheila Taylor SERVICE DOG CLASSES August 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Leon Bunguza Graduate Service Dog Zane Conroy Rolo

Puppy Raiser Adult donation

October 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Leon Bunguza Graduate Service Dog Charl Liebenberg Widget

Puppy Raiser Karen da Silveira

October 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Maxine Geddie Graduate Service Dog Janice Salthouse Philippe

Puppy Raiser Gail Cretchley

AUTISM SUPPORT DOG CLASSES August 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Leon Bunguza Graduate Autism Support Dog Aidon Gilmore Wasabi

Puppy Raiser Sandra Small

October 2015, Johannesburg Instructor: Maxine Geddie Graduate Autism Support Dog Shane Ontong Cash

Puppy Raiser Gail Reith

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Janice and Philippe Jeremy and Gatsby Bernadette and Gabby Zane and Rolo Charl and Widget

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Nursery News Nursery News

Did you know?

GREETINGS FROM PUPPY BLOCK!

About dogs bre two thirds of a ll d Guide, S at GDA becom e e Support rvice, Autism D used fo ogs or are r breedin g.

The pitter-patter of puppy paws 1

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1 Zeke 2 Quincy 3 Pups getting

some rest 4 Puppies going home

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e have had a busy few months in Puppy Block, filled with the pitter-patter of little puppy paws running through the enclosures. Since the previous issue, the ‘QR’, ‘S’, ‘T’, ‘UV’, ‘W’, ‘XYZ’ and ‘A’ litters have been born.

All of them are successful Artificial Insemination (AI) litters.

The ‘QR’ litter was born on 26 August 2015 to parents Fiona and Bosworth, with a total of 10 pups: eight males and two females. The pups are Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses.

Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Randol – Hazel Newington Reo – Robyn de Villiers Quincy – Kimberly Kay Rusty – Louise Meyer and family

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Ruben – Andri Werner Reggie – Anne Lishman Quip – Esme Marshall Robin – Lynne Kinsman Reila – Jan and Jean de Waal Reegan – Karin Da Silviera The ‘S’ litter was born on 8 September 2015 to Katie and Jared. They had seven pups: three males and four females, all of them yellow Labradors.

Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Sawyer – Candice Southey and family Sterling –Bronwyn Fell Scott – Christine Breyl and family Kc – Ria Koen Storm – Antje Herzog Sienna – Diana North Shiloh – Marine and Andrew van der Linde

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The ‘T’ litter, by Tanika and Dell, was born 14 September 2015. They had nine pups in total: five females and four males, all of them Labradors.

Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Tuscany – Sandra Small Tango – Judith Taylor Tilly – Nicky Kelly and family Tory – Ania Finnemore and family Tundra – Sandra Vascellari Toby – Jenny Els Tucker – Terry White Tanner – Carolynn Kingsley and family Thor – Anke Schmidt and family There were only two pups in the ‘UV’ litter: one black male and one black female. They are Labrador/Golden Retriever crosses, born to proud parents Basheera and Panther on 18 September 2015. This is Basheera’s last litter for us. She will be retiring as a lady of leisure, with long walks in the park.

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Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Vicker – Jacqui Webb Vida – Maria Bounds First-time mom Widgeon and dad Bosworth had the ‘W’ litter on 6 November 2015. A total of eight pups were born: two black females, three yellow females and three black males, all of them Labradors. Two puppies are going to Cape Town and still need to be named.

Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Wesley – Hilda Longster Watson – Michelle Henderson Wyatt – Lesley and Kathleen Clark Whyla – Christine Voigt Whitley – Allan Yeun Wisp – Bonnie Espie The ‘XYZ’ litter was born to Jelly and Parsons on 7 November 2015. All yellow Labradors,

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Nursery News Nursery News 1

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Ruben Pups from the ‘UV’ litter Showing off our new puppies!

One of the ‘XYZ’ litter pups Lewis holding a rawhide treat

with two females and four males. This is Jelly’s last batch of Jelly Babies. She is due to be spayed once her pups are weaned.

Here are the puppies and their respective Puppy Raisers: Zorro – Joanne Bylos Xander – David Meyerowitz Zak – Keith Arnold Zeke – Vee Pinker Zara – Handri Coolen Xena – Ildiko Richardson London and Dell had five pups on 9 December 2015, and are the ‘A’ litter. Four females and one male, all of them Labradors.

They still need to be named and placed with Puppy Raisers.

Aside from all the puppies currently keeping us busy in Puppy Block, things are calming down, at least until the next litter!

Monica Steen

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Volunteer Volunteers

DAX SOEGAARD “Life is short - get on with it”

Dax Soegaard is one of GDA’s dedicated volunteers

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t 87 years young, Dax Soegaard is another example of one of GDA’s very dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. Living by the motto ‘Life is so short – get on with it’, which she regularly uses on fellow retirees in the retirement village where she stays, Dax abhors moaning and is happy to be in the company of likeminded individuals in the Monday Vollies group.

Dax was born in New Zealand to Swedish parents. Her father built one of the first power stations there in the 1920s. The family then moved to Britain, where her father electrified the Southern Railway. Dax proceeded to grow up and attend school in Britain as World War II took hold. When the war finally ended, the family moved to Sweden. Dax, however, was not quite so taken with this Germanic version of Europe, especially the very serious young men. Dax went against her family’s wishes and returned to England to train as a nurse.

In 1952, after her nurses’ training, she travelled to Kenya. In Kenya, Dax met and married her husband (a brew master and one of the 1,200 Danes living in Kenya at the time). She was in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising (a military conflict that took place in British Kenya between 2016

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1952 and 1960 against the colonial government and the European settlers). Dax can clearly remember the haunting sound of the Mau Mau drums that would play in the middle of the night. This was indeed a dangerous time, but Dax notes that when you are young, you think you are invincible.

The pair immigrated to South Africa shortly thereafter, where Dax carried on nursing on and off for 42 years. After retiring from her nursing career (at Sandton Clinic), Dax still felt fit and was determined to carry on doing something with her life during her retired years.

In 1994, Dax’s friend Joyce Martin invited her to help with a so-called ‘packing day’ at S A Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA). That was the start of her volunteering and before long she had joined the Monday volunteers. Having always loved her German Shepherds, and dogs in general, Dax notes how everything just fell into place once she started volunteering her time at GDA. An animal lover, Dax had only ever owned German Shepherds, which she used to walk along the Braamfontein spruit (the longest stream in Johannesburg). Due to the nature of walking dogs anywhere near a body of water, Dax had a dedicated car for such outings – a dilapidated old Ford Cortina. After starting to volunteer at GDA, she regrets never having been a Puppy Raiser in order to experience the loyalty Labradors and Golden Retrievers are famous for and who she says don’t have a mean bone in their body.

Dax describes her fellow Monday Vollies as a very dedicated and cheerful lot who don’t moan! In 22 years of volunteering, Dax has hardly missed a day.

Thank you Dax, for all your hard work and your positive attitude throughout the years and choosing to volunteer your time at S A GuideDogs. We appreciate all that you do!

If, like Dax, you would like to volunteer for GDA, please contact Florence for more information on 011 705 3512 or visit our website at www.guidedog.org.za/volunteers f r i e n d

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In Memory of In Memory of

SPECIAL MEMORY PLAQUES GDA Wall of Remembrance

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e often treasure fond memories of a special person or a special four-footed friend, but don’t always have the opportunity to pay tribute to their positive influence in our lives. Do you wish to keep your memories alive by sharing them with like-minded people?

A special plaque can also mark a momentous occasion in a lasting way. Birthday, anniversary, wedding and graduation messages can be added to the Wall of Remembrance to mark a special day with a message of love and good wishes for the future.

GDA is introducing a Wall of Remembrance at our Gladys Evans Training Centre. This will give you the opportunity to honour a loved one or special occasion with a personalised plaque.

Each plaque will cost R500. The plaques will be prominently displayed on the south wall outside our auditorium entrance.

Please take note of the following important facts:

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• Messages must not exceed 140 characters (spaces included) and not be more than four lines.

• Your message will be engraved on a 215mm by 60mm in a standard Calibri font (caps) with a 24 character size.

• All plaques will be actioned after 31 December 2016, in one batch.

• The unveiling will take place at a Guide Dog graduation ceremony in early 2017 (date to be confirmed).

• If you have purchased a plaque, you will be invited to the unveiling and Guide Dog graduation.

Let your memories live on for years by supporting this unique fundraising project and assist us in providing independence, mobility and companionship.

For more information on this exciting campaign, please visit www.guidedog.org. za/can-help-bequests or email fundraising@ guidedog.org.za Pieter van Niekerk 2 0 1 6

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Remembering friends Remembering friends We remember with fondness our beloved friends who have passed on

Friends who are no longer with us Lauren McGregor (Guide Dog owner) passed away in October 2015.

Petrus Thaisi (Guide Dog owner) passed away in October 2015.

MJ Terblanche (Guide Dog owner) passed away in December 2015.

Condolences to Pasha Alden and Frans van der Water who both lost their spouses.

The Tuesday Vollies will miss Elaine de Beer.

In loving remembrance of Guide Dogs who have worked faithfully Freckle passed away in October 2015.

Disha passed away in October 2015.

Yukon passed away in October 2015.

Travis passed away in November 2015.

Kasi passed away in January 2016.

In memory of Hitch, a Puppy on the Puppy Raising Scheme, who passed away in October 2015. Your life was short, but you were loved by your Puppy Raising family, who will always remember you.

We were saddened by the loss of our ‘T’ litter puppies. We did everything in our power to save you.

The song is ended, but the melody lingers on ...

– Irving Berlin 2016

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Info Info

GDA STAFF UPSKILLING Toastmasters workshop 1

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hough public speaking is an intimidating feat for many, since 1924 Toastmasters International has helped millions of men and women worldwide become more confident in front of an audience. Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development, with an international membership of 313,000 people.

1 Richard Riche from Toastmasters International 2 GDA staff

learning the skills of public speaking

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At the beginning of August 2015, GDA staff were part of a Toastmasters workshop spanning two days, which covered the basics of public speaking ranging from what to say (telling your story) to how to say it (the use of body language and PowerPoint presentations). Such training is indispensable for all GDA staff, as they communicate with Puppy Raisers, volunteers, working dog owners, supporters and the general public.

Trina McKinley, the Co-ordinator from Toastmasters, was impressed with the outcome of the two-day event: “The focus of the workshop at GDA was to help attendees gain confidence in not only their speaking skills, but also recognising that their stories have value.”

GDA Executive Director, Gail Glover, remarked on the benefits of the workshop: “The training i n

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improves one-on-one communication and develops leadership skills. I was encouraged to see the growth that our dedicated staff had as the course progressed.”

Here are just some of the impressions

by GDA staff of the two-day workshop: “Listening to colleagues’ stories about what drives them in their work was an amazing experience. And then to see those stories transform and become even more powerful and focused by the end of the workshop was even better. Thanks guys for giving us this opportunity and for sharing your experiences with us!” Willemien Kleijn, College of Orientation and Mobility Facilitator.

“The Toastmasters workshop has helped me become more confident when delivering a speech. It has helped me polish my presentation skills and above all, taught me to think on my feet.” Alson Maphosa, Marketing and Fundraising Co-ordinator.

“During the Toastmasters workshop I learnt how important it is that my communication has a clear message and a call-to-action for the audience. I learnt the importance of body language – incorrect body and hand gestures distract the audience. After the sessions, I felt more confident to stand in front of a group of people and give a presentation.” Mandlenkosi Nxumalo, Guide Dog Services Manager.

If you would like to improve your speaking abilities or just improve your confidence when speaking to an audience, join a local club. For more information on Toastmasters visit www. toastmasters74.org Thank you Toastmasters for helping everyone at GDA be a better version of themselves.

Laura Kapelari 2 0 1 6

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Storyline Storyline

BIGGER THAN THE SKY A love that reaches beyond

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recently met an inspiring couple called Eden and Chaeli. I’ll tell you about Chaeli first. Her full name is Michaela Mycroft. She is almost completely paralysed and has been using a wheelchair since she was a little girl. This year, as a student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Chaeli will write her master’s thesis. She ‘climbed’ Kilimanjaro last year and pretty much travels the world as a motivational speaker.

It is therefore easy to understand why it took S A Guide-Dogs Association four years to find and train the right friend and helper for Chaeli. Apart from anything else, it is a unique soul that has the ability and the personality to concentrate on the job when surrounded by hordes of varsity students. The very thought of it frightens me half to death. Enter Eden – a young, enthusiastic, intelligent yellow Labrador. There’s nothing not to love about the sparkling-eyed Eden. We had a long chat and she told me that she attends lectures with Chaeli, she opens and closes doors for her, presses the lift buttons and puts whatever Chaeli needs on the table. When Chaeli is finished, Eden takes whatever it is off the table again. She and Chaeli work as one and I’m quite sure their hearts do too.

I’m not philosophical by nature, but when you spend time in the company of animals and humans who make you feel so humble, you think about partnerships such as that of Eden and Chaeli. You think about all the animals, all the people, all the training and all the time involved in matching up each pair.

You think about how you would feel if you were blind or incapable of opening a door or 2016

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Chaeli Mycroft with Service Dog Eden and lapdog Muffin together with Ann Holland and Guide Dog Shana

walking down the road to visit your friends.

You think about all that and then you ask yourself, “What is the driving force behind the animals and the humans who dedicate their lives to the service of others?” I’ll tell you what it is – it is a love bigger than the sky.

To find out more about Eden and Chaeli, please visit http://chaelicampaign.co.za or email chaeli122@gmail.com Shana, Guide Dog to Ann Holland f r i e n d

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KwaZulu-Natal Report KwaZulu-Natal Report

MARKETING NEWS

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t’s time to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in our activities last year, and prepare for the next year!

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We were back in Pietermaritzburg for the Garden Show, and a big thank you to the new organisers for such a great stall. We did really well! Thanks to all the Maritzburgers for their support, donations, purchasing of books and tickets, and of course to all the wonderful helpers who gave their time at both shows.

Tracy, Denise, Robin and Gail, you are stars for all the hours you put in!

This year we were lucky to have HobbyX back in Durban after a long absence. Thank you to the organisers for all their help and the stall – we did amazingly well selling tickets. Thanks must also go to the helpers who were rushed off their feet most of the time.

Next came the Annual Golf Day, held at Umdoni Park Golf Club in Pennington. When the day finally dawned we had a field of 48 players, most of them loyal supporters. We managed to raise R9,000 thanks to all who rallied around and supported us on the day. Thank you also to all the prize sponsors.

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street collection. We had 12 centres and 30 collectors. Despite more centres refusing to have collectors, we still raised an amazing R19,669.52 – up on last year’s amount. Well done and thank you to everyone who turned out on the day to help.

On a sad note, after 15 years of being at S A Guide Dogs, I had to bid farewell to a number of friends and invaluable helpers who have decided to relocate. Farewell to Jacque Webb, who has put my dogs and me up for 15 years for all the shows in Pietermaritzburg; Karen Hagsphiel; Cheryl and Chris, who originally introduced me to Umdoni Park Golf Club for the Golf Day and who were always on hand to help wherever needed; and Gerry Staegemann, who monitored the collection tins. You are all very much missed. The bright side of course is that I have a whole lot of new holiday destinations to visit!

A big thank you also goes out to the hardy band of amazing can top collectors who this year raised R3,200 (and believe me, that’s a few truckloads of can tops) and are well on their way to sponsoring their next dog; the lady golfers who sponsored dogs; and the service clubs, schools, social clubs, trusts and companies and individuals who donated and sponsored. Thank you also to my longsuffering family for all the favours and the all-important house/dog/cat sitting. And finally, a special thanks to all the Guide Dog and Service Dog owners who helped in 2015, especially Jenny Puffett and Gracie, who came and did all the talks with me.

Thank you all for making fundraising for our worthy cause possible and indeed great fun at times!

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Puppy Raiser Puppy Raiser

SCHOKOLADE’S CAREER CHANGE

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ome time ago I wrote as Schokolade’s Puppy Raiser that he would soon be going into training. This he did in late 2014, but unfortunately, due to temperamental problems, he did not qualify as a Guide Dog. Although this is a hard and bitter pill to swallow, as you always imagine your puppy ‘making the grade’ and helping a person who is visually or physically impaired, it did mean that I was allowed to keep Schoko.

However, the story does not end there. I have known for some time that, like humans, dogs are needed as blood donors. Blood is needed for biliary cases, surgical procedures, anaemia, trauma emergencies, and many more.

I went to Bryanston Veterinary Hospital (BVH) and asked what the criteria were for dog blood donors. I was told that the dog should: • weigh 25kg or more without being overweight.

• be between 18 months and seven years old.

• have a calm temperament and be able to sit still.

• have up-to-date vaccinations and be free of disease.

I realised that Schoko filled the bill and took the next step – a simple blood test to find out his blood group. Again, like humans, dogs have different blood groups – some more rare and some more needed than others (DEA 1.1 negative is considered the universal blood type). Schoko was a match, and was immediately placed on the donor roll.

Within 24 hours, I received a telephone call from BVH requesting that I bring Schoko to the hospital, if possible, as he was needed to 2016

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Schokolade looking handsome in the garden

save a life. He spent about three hours at the vet, where he was given a mild sedative while his blood was taken. At the end, he was no worse for wear, and came home to lots of hugs.

Like a human having given blood, there is a waiting period before the next donation.

To date, Schoko has given two pints of blood and is in his waiting period once again. Even though he may not feel proud, I feel proud for him, as his career change means that although he is no longer the eyes or assistant for a person, he is saving lives.

Schoko – you and all the other canine blood donors around – I applaud you.

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Puppy Raising Puppy Raising

FAQs ABOUT PUPPY RAISING Want to become a Puppy Raiser? Here’s what you need to know 1. Who can be a Puppy Raiser?

An ideal Puppy Raiser is someone who has the time and energy to socialise and housetrain a young puppy. Time, motivation, a love of dogs and a willingness to teach the puppy according to the GDA philosophy (so that the puppy has the best chance of success) are the most important factors. On application, an interview is set up to meet with the potential Puppy Raiser. All of the requirements of Puppy Raising will be discussed in detail.

The property is checked for secure fencing, an enclosed swimming pool and any other dangers that a puppy may be exposed to.

2. Can I let my friends and other family members keep the puppy on weekends?

While you cannot leave your puppy with someone we haven’t vetted, you do have the option of leaving the pup with us at Kennels or we will find an alternative approved Puppy Raiser to look after the dog until you return. If you travel often, you may want to consider becoming a weekend-homer instead.

Puppy Raiser Hazel Newington with Randol.

3. Who decides on whether the dog will be a Guide, Service or Autism Support Dog? The Puppy Raising Supervisors will assess the puppy throughout his first year, and look for qualities in the puppy that would place him in his ideal vocation. Once the puppy begins his formal training, the Instructors will continue the assessment.

4. Do I have to take the puppy for training?

Yes. You will be required to bring the puppy

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to the Gladys Evans Training Centre once a week for a 13-week period where training and socialising is done by the Puppy Raising Supervisors with you handling the puppy.

Thereafter, you will have monthly walks with your puppy’s siblings and their respective Puppy Raisers, led by the Puppy Raising Supervisors.

These are fun and great for discussing any concerns or boasting about achievements.

5. Will it cost me money to care for the puppy?

Yes. You are responsible for deworming, parasite control and grooming. S A Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind takes care of all other medical and vaccination costs.

6. Can I take the dog on trips with me?

Not without prior permission. It would also depend on the distance, age of the puppy, and whether the puppy would be missing crucial lessons.

7. What do I do if the dog gets ill?

Phone the Puppy Raising Supervisors or Kennel Manager immediately. We have a relationship with Bryanston Veterinary Hospital where you can take the dog if needed.

8. What do I feed the dog and do I pay for the food?

We are sponsored by Martin & Martin, who manufacture Bob Martin Puppy and Adult dog food, which is supplied to you via the Puppy Raising Scheme, so you won’t pay for the puppy’s food.

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9. What happens if I become attached to the dog?

You will become extremely attached to the dog; however, the reward in knowing that you are making an enormous difference in the life of someone who is visually or physically impaired, or a child with autism, is immeasurable. It will be hard to part with your dog, but when you see him in training, proudly wearing his harness or working dog jacket, it will have been worthwhile and we hope you will raise another puppy in the future.

10. Can I only raise one dog at a time?

Yes. The amount of time required to expose the puppy to different environments, situations and people requires planning, focus and dedication, which need to be applied to one dog at a time.

11. What is the ideal home environment to raise the dog?

All of our puppies MUST sleep indoors. The dog needs to become a valued member of the family and be able to take part in the family’s daily lives. We would like our puppies to go to homes with sociable dogs, cats and children. The more animals a puppy comes into daily contact with, the better chance he has of becoming comfortable with them.

If you would like to become one of our Puppy Raisers, please contact Leigh de Beaufort at LeighD@guidedog.org.za or visit www.guidedog. org.za/volunteers for more information.

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Celebration of our Service Clubs (Part 2) Celebration of our Service Clubs (part 2)

ROTARY CLUB resources and contributing their talents to help serve communities in need. The organisation’s dedication to this ideal is best expressed in its motto: ‘Service Above Self ’.

New members inducted into Rotary Vereeniging

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n this second feature on the important role performed by Service Clubs, we will be focusing on the generous support received through the decades from Rotary Clubs in South Africa.

Who and what is Rotary?

Rotary International is an association of Rotary Clubs worldwide. It is made up of more than 33,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries. The members of these autonomous clubs are called Rotarians, and they form a global network of approximately 1.2 million business and professional leaders. Rotarians volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities to improve the lives of those in need.

How and where did this movement start?

The first club was the Rotary Club of Chicago, USA (formed in February 1905) by Paul P Harris and three of his friends. Harris wanted to recapture the feeling of fellowship he had experienced among the business people in the small town in which he had grown up. The name Rotary came from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices. Rotary’s popularity spread, and within a decade clubs were chartered throughout the USA and Canada.

As Rotary grew, its mission expanded beyond serving club members’ professional and social interests. Rotarians began pooling their

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Rotary code of ethics Rotarians’ actions are guided by the following principles: A: Is it the truth?

B: Is it fair to all concerned?

C: Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

D: Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

When was Rotary founded in South Africa?

The Rotary Club of Johannesburg was established in 1921, while the Rotary Club of Cape Town was chartered in 1925.

Rotary support to S A Guide-Dogs Association Gladys Evans, founder of S A Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA), worked closely with many Rotary Clubs. GDA has benefited from several fundraising drives. To date, Rotary Clubs throughout South Africa have sponsored many Guide, Service and Autism Support Dogs, not to mention the independence and mobility training rendered through our College of Orientation and Mobility (COM).

We wish to commend each and every member of local Rotary Clubs for their dedicated support to GDA and other worthy causes over many years. Whenever you see people who are visually or physically impaired living life to the fullest through your and our intervention, please take a moment and be proud of the fruits of your Club’s investment – together we make a difference!

Should any of our readers wish to obtain more information on Rotary International or find the club closest to you, please visit www.rotary.org Pieter van Niekerk 2 0 1 6

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COM Report COM Report

STORIES FROM THE FIELD Orientation and Mobility Practitioners tell us about their work

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hree of GDA’s Orientation and Mobility Practitioners talk about rewarding experiences they had working in the field

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stairs with a sighted guide

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Nomonde Tanda shares her experience Sipho, a 17-year-old boy, was referred to me for Orientation and Mobility training. When I first met him, he said, “All blind people do is stay in bed all day.” He didn’t want to learn anything and he felt that his teacher was forcing him to attend the training. He had recently been orphaned and was dealing with a diagnosis of glaucoma, which had caused him to become partially sighted. He had had a great deal of emotional trauma and needed to be referred to a psychologist to help him deal with his situation.

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After some counselling, he was more receptive to the training and I could begin my work with him. I started by talking to Sipho about role models who were also blind or partially sighted.

I introduced him to a group of visually impaired people and he was able to talk to them and hear about the challenges that they faced. He no longer felt alone, as there were group members who were the same age as he was.

When the Orientation and Mobility training began, he resisted using a cane, and so I trained him to make the best of his remaining vision.

He learned how to use his feet to scan the area ahead of him, while tracing with his hands and tracking objects that he could see with his remaining vision. His aim was to return to school and he became excited when he realised that he could use his remaining vision to become mobile f r i e n d

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COM Report COM Report

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Independence through mobility training.

Identifying different denominations of coins

again. However, he was still battling to walk independently in an unfamiliar environment, and so I suggested that the cane would make it easier for him to reach his goal of being independent. We started the introduction to the cane and he learned the techniques with ease. The combination of cane skills and the optimal use of his remaining vision enabled Sipho to regain his hope for the future.

Once he was confidently able to use the cane and had regained his independence, he was ready to return to school. I helped him complete the application forms for admission to Filadelfia School for the Blind and he is currently completing Grade 11. His June report was excellent.

As an O&M Practitioner you need to be patient and try to use all your expertise to assist your clients. Sometimes we need to refer clients to other professionals who can help prepare them for the training they need. We must keep checking on clients to give them all the support that they need until they are ready for O&M training, otherwise

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they will all sit at home feeling worthless and dependent on others.

Making a difference – Salome Ntsoelengoe My experience involves a family of four, two brothers and two sisters who were orphaned at a young age. One of the brothers is deaf and the other is visually impaired. Both sisters are deaf and without sight. The visually impaired siblings depended on the deaf brother to do things for them. Unfortunately, the deaf brother was involved in a taxi accident and was hospitalised for three months.

The three siblings suffered a great deal, as there was no one to take care of them. They were unable to cook, clean, do the laundry, buy groceries or go to the clinic for their medication. They did not know how to count money or where the shops were. The grant money was going straight to their bank account, but they did not even know how much money they had, as their brother was managing everything for them. Without the care 2 0 1 6

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Did you know?

Learnin g can ass simple skills improvin ist greatly in g visually the lives of impair people ed

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Identifying different denominations of notes

of their brother, they were helpless.

In desperation, they asked their neighbour for assistance. Unfortunately, this neighbour took advantage of the situation by stealing money from the account. The neighbour would buy the siblings a small amount of food and tell them the money was finished. The siblings then approached another neighbour for help when they realised they were being mistreated. Eventually, the case was referred to me.

It was not easy for me to communicate with the siblings, as the brother was the only one who could hear me. This meant I had to use him to interpret for me. It was clear that there was a need for Orientation and Mobility training to ensure that independence was gained. I started with the skills of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, identifying money, washing and ironing. Then I moved on to the skills of mobility such as sighted guide, pre-cane and finally using the cane to navigate the routes in the yard, to the shops, clinics and church.

When the brother was discharged from hospital and returned home, he found me training his 2016

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siblings. He was very surprised and happy to see the progress they were making, as he had been so stressed and worried about what would become of them without him. Within six months they were all independent and knew how to do things for themselves. When I started training them, I thought it was going to be difficult to use the second person to interpret for me, especially someone who is also blind. However, I managed to achieve my goal of helping this family become independent and mobile.

Mmalomile Mokoena’s experience as an Orientation and Mobility Practitioner Four years ago Bonolo Mokhele, a girl from Soweto, was given the opportunity of a lifetime.

She was chosen to attend the Oprah Winfrey Academy, a school for girls that helps children from an underprivileged background gain an excellent education. The Academy has a rigorous application process involving testing and interviews. Bonolo had achieved many academic f r i e n d

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COM Report COM Report

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Cutting bread

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awards at her school and her family knew that she was intelligent and capable. Her family was so proud of her achievements and the wonderful future that lay ahead of her. She attended the Academy for three years and was about to start Grade 11 when disaster struck.

Bonolo was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

During that year she was hospitalised several times, and after the surgery to remove the tumour and save her life, it was found that her vision was impaired. Although the Academy supported her throughout this process, she could no longer continue her studies there. She transferred to Prinshof School, a school for visually impaired children in Pretoria.

It is here that I first met Bonolo when she was 17 and repeating Grade 10, as she had to learn Braille before she could continue her education.

She needed mobility training to learn how to use a cane, so that she could regain her independence and move around the school safely and without assistance. When I first met her, I spent a great deal of time talking to her, and she said, “Teacher Mmalomile, I feel that I don’t belong in this school and I really don’t know where I belong.” I realised that Bonolo was struggling to accept her situation,

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and referred her to the school psychologist. With ongoing support, she was eventually ready to learn how to use the cane.

She was willing to learn, and a wonderful person to work with, as her intelligence made it easy to teach her new skills. After three months of training, she was able to move around independently inside and outside the building, and descend and ascend stairs using the diagonal cane technique and touch technique. Bonolo had regained her confidence and began to socialise again. All the cane techniques she was taught can be applied at school and at home so that she can move around without being helped by others. It made me feel proud to have made a difference in Bonolo’s life. As an Orientation and Mobility Practitioner, I am richly rewarded for the work I have done when I see a visually impaired person smiling and happy when they have regained their independence. My work at Prinshof school has made a difference to many children who needed to learn daily living and mobility skills to function in their daily lives.

Nomonde Tanda, Salome Ntsoelengoe and Mmalomile Mokoena 2 0 1 6

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Meet the Team Meet the team

TEAGAN SCHWERIN Get to know a member of GDA’s Cape Town office How long have you been working for S A Guide-Dogs Association (GDA)?

Four years.

What do you do for the Association?

Marketing and fundraising for the Western Cape.

Do you have any dogs or pets of your own?

Yes, three dogs: Shadow (a 16-yearold Dobermann cross), Shiloh (an eight-year-old Ridgeback cross) and Skye (a four-year-old Pomeranian cross). All of them are rescues.

Do you have a favourite Guide Dog at the centre, and if so, what is his name? Oxo, a black Labrador who was withdrawn in my first year at GDA. What initially prompted you to get involved with GDA? A friend who is a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor told me about the opportunity. It was a dream come true to work with dogs and to be part of a movement that has such a huge impact on people’s lives.

What is your favourite part of the job?

Initially it was working with the dogs, but now it is inspiring people I have met who are touched by these amazing animals.

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What is your least favourite part?

When we lose a dog … it never gets easy no matter the reason.

Which GDA event held during the year do you most look forward to?

We hosted our first Gala Dinner in recognition of World Sight Day in 2015 and it was a great success.

It was definitely a highlight of my year.

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?

Italy for the art, history and romance, and the Bahamas to do absolutely nothing but relax on the pure white sand and enjoy the quietness and beauty.

Which song is guaranteed to put you in a great mood for the rest of the day?

Mr Jones by the Counting Crows.

What movie or fictional character do you most identify with?

The Notebook – I am a true romantic.

What does your ideal weekend look like?

A relaxing weekend with no plans, spending time with my husband Jonathan and children, Emma (3) and Max (3 months), at home swimming, playing and laughing.

Are you a collector of anything?

Pebbles or stones from other countries. It’s the one thing I ask people to bring back for me. I have pebbles from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Brazil and more.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can dislocate my pinky fingers.

Weird … I know!

If you could have a superpower, what would you choose?

To remove all unkindness and cruelty and replace it with compassion and kindness towards all things such as humanity, animals and the planet.

What’s your favourite day of the year and why?

Every day! It’s a blessing to wake up to my beautiful, healthy and happy family.

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Let Your Legacy Work For Others...

A Bequest to S A Guide-Dogs Association is a powerful gift that can drastically change the life of a person who is visually impaired. This gift is a living memory to you. Your legacy can provide Mobility, Companionship and Independence to someone who has never before had this opportunity.

Leaving a charitable bequest (which is exempt from Estate Duty) means that the value of this bequest is deducted from your estate before the duty is calculated.

www.guidedog.org.za

SA Guide-Dogs

@SAGuide_Dogs

sa_guide_dogs

Contact us: Johannesburg—Tel: 011 705 3512 Cape Town—Tel: 021 674 7395 KwaZulu-Natal—Tel: 039 973 0387

000-758 NPO

Giving back Giving back

LEGACY CLUB Giving back after you have passed “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” – Kalu Kalu

The badge you will receive upon becoming a member of the Legacy Club

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ach year we receive funding from donors who have remembered us in their will. We are very grateful for these bequests that make it possible for us to continue to provide working dogs to people who require a Guide Dog, Service Dog or Autism Support Dog The sad fact is that we are never able to thank these generous people for the contribution that they have made to change someone’s life.

This was the inspiration for the Legacy Club. If someone has left us a gift in their will and they inform us, then they will join the Legacy Club. All Legacy Club members will receive a Legacy Club badge and a special yearly newsletter.

The newsletter will highlight projects that have been funded by bequests in each year.

Members will have the option of their name being inscribed in our leather-bound Legacy Club Members’ Book, which is on display in the history section of our visitors’ auditorium.

We would like to thank and acknowledge these supporters for the legacy that they will be leaving behind.

The reality of life is that some of our supporters can’t afford to make a contribution while they are alive, but they can afford to leave a gift in their will.

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You can contribute to the training of a Guide, Service or Autism Support Dog after you have passed on

If you would like more information about the Legacy Club, please contact Pieter van Niekerk at PieterV@guidedog.org.za or visit www.guidedog.org.za/can-help-bequests f r i e n d

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Cape Town Report Cape Town Report

FUNDRAISING NEWS What’s been happening in Cape Town

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he second half of 2015 turned out to be as busy and exciting as the first. Partnerships came to fruition and new events raised the bar for fundraising in the Western Cape.

Karoo to Coast Cycle Race South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA) is a beneficiary of the Lions Karoo to Coast Mountain Bike Race. The race, which takes place over the course of two days, starts at Uniondale and ends in Knysna. In 2015, the event was held on 19 and 20 September. Our Branch Manager, Cheryl Robertson, together with Guide Dog owner Jennifer Pretorius and her Guide Dog Kaine, attended.

World Sight Day Gala Dinner GDA, in association with Lions International, celebrated Cape Town’s first World Sight Gala Dinner on Thursday, 8 October 2015, at the esteemed Kelvin Grove Ballroom. This high-profile event was a resounding success and has the makings of being an annual occurrence. Guests included the Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, Mike Wills of Cape Talk, Nikki Friedman of Môreson Wine Estate, and our keynote speaker Sonja Kruse (ubuntu Girl), who entertained guests with

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her inspirational, optimistic, warm and witty manner.

The objective of the Gala Dinner was to raise funds for two Platinum Dog Sponsorships (R160,000) – we achieved this and so much more. A huge thank you to our generous sponsors: Môreson, Kelvin Grove, Oak Valley Estate, Okasie, the Glenn Robertson Jazz Band, Distell, BSVP Sound and Lighting, Black Dog Studios and Bee Photography and Design. Without your invaluable support this would not have been possible.

Institutions Raising awareness among the youth about the differently-abled community is a mammoth task. Therefore, the support from our schools and universities is greatly appreciated. The opportunity to share such insights with the youth and young adults is a privilege not afforded to many. Thank you to Blouberg Ridge Primary, Elkanah House, Sweet Valley Primary, Micklefield Primary, Greenfields Primary, Rhenish School in Stellenbosch and Unisa for your support of GDA. Bookshop The bookshop is managed by a happy band of volunteers. Alton von Biljon and his team, Erich Baum, Val Cotmore and Sheena Hurworth, have done sterling work. Every 2 0 1 6

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Service Dog Owner Heidi enthralling the children with her talk at Greenfields School

Some of our volunteers helping at the Gambling Indaba – Irene Page, Sheena Hurworth and Val Cotmore

month new faces grace the shop to purchase some real treasures. Over the past three months, we received entire libraries from various estates.

We already need extra space and the bookshop could easily open more than one Saturday per month. Watch this space to see how we grow!

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (OMTOM) The ever-popular Two Oceans Marathon doesn’t just provide a great day out for runners – the event is also a fantastic way to give back to the community. The Two Oceans Marathon Initiative (TOMI) was launched three years ago as a way to provide much-needed funding for charities that match Two Oceans’ support pillars of education, the environment, health and development. GDA has been selected as one of four beneficiaries of the 2016 Two Oceans Marathon. Thank you to TOMI for selecting GDA. 2016

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Cape Town Report Cape Town Report Sonja Kruse

Premier Helen Zille with Moira and Pierre Theron and Sue Charles of Lions International with Lions puppies Leo and Melvin

Exhibitions and shopping malls Expos are a great place to raise awareness about Guide, Service and Autism Support Dogs. We regularly have a stand at the International Boat Show at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), where we are always well received. During our visit to the Boat Show in October 2015, we were invited to the inaugural Gambling Indaba by the CEO, Mr Percy Kwinda. This was a great opportunity to raise awareness about GDA’s work, and also to network.

Likewise, the support from young and old at the shopping malls is overwhelming.

Golf days On 30 October 2015, we were one of the beneficiaries of the Woolworths Golf Society Annual Golf Day. Roy Abbot and his Guide Dog Georgia accompanied us to receive the cheque of R60,000. This sponsorship is primarily to assist with veterinary fees and services, equipment, as well as training and

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aftercare. Thank you Woolies.

The Boland Nomads dedicated their 2015 monthly golf days to GDA. Through this they raised an amazing R160,000 – two Platinum Dog Sponsorships! The cheque was handed over to us at their final prizegiving at the end of November. Two newborn pups will be named by them. One of them is set to be called Nomad. Thank you – your dedication to and support of GDA is awe-inspiring.

Our own Golf Day, held on 13 December, proved to be a lovely evening where networking, support and commitment were the order of the day.

Thank you Marcel Proust said: “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

Thank you to each and every one who feeds our souls not only at our fundraising events but on a daily basis. Your belief in and support of GDA is immeasurable. To our Puppy Raisers, volunteers, schools, Lions and Rotary Clubs, sponsors – individuals as well as corporates – we are immensely grateful to you all.

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Gala Dinner Gala Dinner

LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 410A CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL SIGHT DAY

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ince 1988, Lions World Sight Day has raised awareness about the importance of eye health and the need for quality eye care services for all. On this special day of service, Lions Clubs around the world conduct sight-related projects, including vision screenings, eyeglass donations, restorative surgeries, eye health education programmes, and the donation of assistive devices to those with vision impairments.

Lions World Sight Day is traditionally held in the month of October.

Last year, the Lions of District 410A enjoyed a wonderful evening of good music, food, wine and excellent fellowship, when as the headline sponsor, they attended the Lions/S A GuideDogs World Sight Day Gala Dinner at Kelvin Grove, Cape Town, on 8 October.

We were honoured to have as the guest of honour the Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille, and Lions Clubs’ District Governor, Sue Charles. Both donned blindfolds and, with the assistance of a Guide Dog, navigated the ballroom and onto the stage. This they accomplished without any tripping or overbalancing, thanks to the excellent ability of the Guide Dogs. In her address, Premier Helen Zille was in awe of the excellent training of the Guide Dogs and she was absolutely amazed with how people who are visually impaired confidently negotiated their daily chores through the help of a Guide Dog. Past District Governor (PDG) Pierre Theron 2016

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referred to Helen Keller’s landmark speech at the 1925 Lions International Convention, when she made her now famous appeal to all Lions to constitute themselves as ‘Knights of the Blind in the crusade against Darkness’.

The Lions of District 410A were privileged to be part of this very auspicious Gala Dinner and were delighted to be involved with S A Guide-Dogs Association in their quest to raise funds for the benefit of the visually and physically impaired. The Lions are particularly honoured to have been given the opportunity to sponsor and name two adorable puppies in training, Melvin and Leo. They were without doubt the stars of the show.

The Lions of District 410A demonstrated that they are truly ‘Knights of the Blind’ by not only attending the Gala Dinner, but supporting the sponsorships drive and so helping raise muchneeded funds for S A Guide-Dogs.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation, with 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 208 countries worldwide. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have aided the visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.

For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit their website at www. lionsclubs.org

Guide Dog Gatsby was one of the guests at the Gala Dinner

Pierre Theron, Lions District Sight Awareness Chairperson f r i e n d

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Health Health

ENHANCE YOUR VISION WITH THE RIGHT LIGHTING Lighting your way to better vision

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ighting takes on added importance for everyone as they grow older. Even normal healthy eyes generally require twice as much light at age 50 as they did at age 25. Lighting for persons with low vision is even more critical as they generally need three to four times the amount of light to read and do other visuallyrelated tasks as a person with normal vision.

People respond differently to light depending on their eye condition and the stage of deterioration. It is therefore important to test different kinds and levels of lighting to determine what is the most comfortable and most effective. By experimenting with the various lighting options one is able to vary the intensity of light, the amount of glare and the different levels of contrast.

For people with low vision, good lighting also

Correct lighting will go a long way in keeping your eyes healthy

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creates a safer environment and helps prevent accidents. The type of lighting and its intensity, colour and direction affect visual performance.

There are several types of lighting: • Incandescent light bulbs are the most common form of light bulb and are frequently used in table or desktop lamps. They provide a more yellow light but tend not to be the best choice for contrast enhancement and accurate colour perception. They are most effective when placed close to the task, like sewing or reading.

• Fluorescent light bulbs produce a bright, blue-white light that is evenly dispersed without shadows, over a wide area. Fluorescent bulbs may, however, cause glare for some people.

Because they generate a lot of light without using a lot of electricity, it is the type of lighting most often used in public places, such as supermarkets or offices. Cool-white ‘natural daylight’ fluorescent lamps are helpful.

• Halogen lighting produces the brightest and whitest light but it also produces a lot of heat. For some people with low vision, it can enhance contrast between print and background, but for others it generates too much glare and is thus not generally recommended.

• The newer form of lighting, with LED (light emitting diode) light sources, has many advantages and is now being frequently used in illuminated magnifiers and lamps. The quality of light provided is excellent, the colour of the light is not damaging to the eyes, and the longevity and cost of the lighting is attractive. The bright light generated also produces very little heat.

Improving your light source may assist you in viewing your tasks more clearly.

Hazel Sacharowitz

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New Ideas New Ideas

FRESH FACES ON THE GDA TEAM Mmalomile Mokoena – Orientation and Mobility Facilitator

I enjoy working at the College of Orientation and Mobility (COM) because it involves my passion. I have the opportunity to work with students and share my experiences of working in the field. I work in a welcoming environment with friendly people whose aim is to help visually impaired people.

Nomonde Tanda – Orientation and Mobility Facilitator

I have been working with visually impaired people for so many years that my clients are like family to me. Finding out that I was the only Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Instructor in the whole of the Eastern Cape broke my heart.

After I came to study at COM, I gained more knowledge about visually impaired people in South Africa and realised that there is a lack of O&M Practitioners out there. After I qualified as an O&M Practitioner, I went back to East London to continue training visually impaired people.

When the post of O&M Facilitator arose at COM, I told myself that this is an opportunity for me to give back to society by helping to produce O&M Practitioners.

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Elizabeth Louw – Head of the College of Orientation and Mobility

Coming to work at GDA offered an opportunity to make use of my background in education and educational management, while focusing on visual impairment. What I discovered when I started working at COM is that the people who work here are passionate about what they do and about making a difference. They have been supportive and beyond helpful in making me part of their team.

Leigh de Beaufort – Kennels Manager

My history has been in managing pet boarding kennels, where I thrived. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for growth in the industry. I was previously employed by SPCA Randburg, where daily heartache is normal, and I felt that I needed to make a positive difference in my life by working with Guide, Service and Autism Support Dogs while they were under my care in Kennels. I have always found working with animals to be mutually beneficial and instantly gratifying. I have learned an enormous amount in the last few months and believe that I will continue to learn and grow while at S A Guide-Dogs. Who could ever claim to have a lousy job when it entails all aspects of dealing with Labradors and Golden Retrievers – the sunshine makers of the dog world? f r i e n d

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