Our stories
75th Celebrations Extraordinary Partnerships
Below are just ten of 75 guide dog partnership stories from across the UK, featured during 2006. These commemorated the day in 1931 that the first four guide dogs led their pioneering blind owners to independence. The Our Stories pages feature inspirational tales about the ways in which guide dogs have transformed the lives of their visually-impaired owners by providing independence, confidence and freedom of mobility.
Angela Hassall - Crewe
20 December 2006The first-ever dual purpose hearing and guide dog Roddy transforms the life of his deaf-blind owner... read more...
Bryan Maindonald - Spalding
20 December 2006Cold nose, warm heart … dry feet read more...
Christine Dunn - Southend
20 December 2006“Blindness need not be the end of the world” read more...
Den Gill - Bridgewater
20 December 2006“I crossed the road - and my life changed” read more...
Jacqueline Brown - Dunbar
20 December 2006That incredible woman in her flying machine! read more...
Maxine Ingram - Kidwelly
20 December 2006Guide dog partnership means Maxine can go for gold read more...
Meredith Vivian - Leatherhead
20 December 2006Guide dog owner honoured as senior civil servant. read more...
Phil Sime - Inverness
20 December 2006"Ryan gave me back my spontaneity” read more...
Steve Cunningham - Banbury
20 December 2006“The key to success is being motivated to succeed” read more...
Mark Pollock – Northern Ireland
 | |
 |
Mark lost his sight completely when he was in his 20s and was struggling to reconnect with the world around him. He admits to having been afraid to try and fall in the past, but after being matched with his guide dog Larry, a Labrador-cross Golden Retriever, his life turned around.
Mark was able to take charge of his life again; resume a working life and take on physical challenges. And with all his achievements to date it is no surprise that Larry received the 2006 award for Guide Dog of the Year.
Mark continually stretches himself, having taken home gold for his rowing at the 2002 Ghent Reggatta. Now 30, Mark says: “Regardless of what I have achieved in my life through my own determination, though, it’s Larry my guide dog who is my day-to-day enabler. It’s as simple as that.”
Find out more about Mark...