Mary Tonk and guide dog Jazz

Mary’s Inspiring Journey

Seventy-two year old Mary Tonks is a frequent flier, a jet setter and an adventurer. As a pensioner, traveling all over the globe is exceptional in itself but this achievement is magnified by the fact that Mary is a guide dog owner.

West Yorkshire born and bred, Mary has had a new lease of life since being teamed up with her second guide dog, Labrador retriever cross Jazz.

Due to the progression of an eye condition known as Uveitis, Mary went almost completely blind aged just 40. However it was when she tragically witnessed her husband, Lionel, suffering from a fatal heart attack that Mary turned to Guide Dogs for help. “I hadn’t realised how little mobility I had until I got my first guide dog” says Mary “I was so used to depending on my husband for transport. Guide Dogs was there for me within a week of his death and have always been there since”.

Mary’s checklist of countries visited would rival that of even some of the more adventurous backpackers and includes ten cruises, taking in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Mexico, Cuba, Kenya, Sri Lanka, the Red Sea and the South Pacific! In addition to all of this, Mary frequently visits Turkey where she has an apartment.

On the rare occasion that Mary is braving the somewhat cooler climate in the UK, life with Jazz is non-stop. Shopping, socialising, going out for meals, Jazz and Mary are familiar faces about town. On quieter days the pair love a spot of gardening.

When Mary is abroad, four year old Jazz benefits from a well earned rest by staying at home with Ms Berritt who walked her as a puppy.

Having most recently returned from a trip to the Caribbean Mary says:

The new found confidence and independence that came from becoming a guide dog owner has allowed me to travel the world and have these extraordinary experiences, I could not be more grateful and am looking forward to planning my next trip.- Mary Tonks