A Royal visit for the opening of the Guide Dog Training School Atherton

HRH Princess Alexandra has officially opened Guide Dogs’ world-class Guide Dog Training School, in Atherton, in front of hundreds of the charity’s staff, volunteers, supporters and dogs.

As Patron of Guide Dogs the Princess went on a tour the state-of-the-art kennel block, meeting staff and dogs, before officially opening the school. The school has been in use since 2009 - this is its official opening - and allows the charity to train around 30% more guide dogs a year to help more blind and partially sighted people in the UK.

Dogs come to the school at around 14 months old and for three to four months are taught guiding skills such as walking down the centre of a pavement and avoiding obstacles, by Guide Dog Trainers. The dogs then go to one of the charity’s 28 District Teams across the UK for final training and matching with a blind or partially sighted person.

The purpose built school incorporates the latest ideas in dog care and welfare facilities from across the world; it features an indoor all-weather training area, and outdoor area featuring permanent street obstacles, essential for training dogs to guide on busy streets. The ‘L’ shaped kennels allow dogs to see and interact with each other and staff.

The school is also home to Guide Dogs’ fundraising in the North, volunteering support across the UK, and the Greater Manchester District Team. It replaces the previous building in Bolton which was in use for 50 years.

Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive Richard Leaman commented: “I am delighted to see this vital new centre opened. Guide dogs have been trained in the North of England since 1931 and thousands of people have given their money and time to ensure we can do what we do.

“These new facilities will allow us to train more dogs, in better conditions, and at a lower cost than ever before. The direct result of this investment will be more dogs, more partnerships, and more blind and partially sighted people freed from isolation and loneliness - it is great news for Guide Dogs and our clients.

“This new School will play a fundamental role in delivering the guide dog service, and other mobility services, for many years to come. I hope we can continue to rely upon the selfless support of our volunteers and donors to enable us to do just that - without them, we simply could not change people's lives the way we do now".

One of the features of the School is the beautiful Path of Remembrance – a memorial path in honour of loved ones. Path of Remembrance bricks are available in different sizes for a donation of £500 or more. For more information please call
0161 972 0112.