A group of guide dog puppies have been studying masterpieces, from ancient Roman sculpture to paintings by Rembrandt, on a recent training visit to Chatsworth House.
The six pups, Edwards, Uska, Kano, Reuben, Nacho and Abbi, who are all in the early stages of their guide dog training, were given special access to the house earlier this week.
Apart from qualified assistance dogs, dogs are not usually allowed inside the stately home due to the fragile nature of some items on display, but an exception was made for this group of future guide dogs.
The pups explored the Painted Hall, the State Rooms, and the galleries, which contain works of art that span 4,000 years.
This was the second of two training visits to the estate, with another group of pups visiting Chatsworth’s farmyard last month.
Each pup was accompanied by their volunteer Puppy Raiser, who looks after them until they are just over a year old, before they move to a Guide Dogs’ centre to start their formal training.
Volunteer Puppy Raisers for sight loss charity Guide Dogs provide puppies with vital foundations for their future role, teaching them basic commands and helping them get used to different environments.
Stephanie Cupitt, Puppy Development Advisor for Guide Dogs covering the local area, said:
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Chatsworth for supporting with the important training visits we’ve been running this summer, for our guide dog puppies.
As part of our vital training for our pups, it’s really important that they are exposed to different environments, with a variety of sights and sounds, to help them grow up to become confident guide dogs.
To support this, we try to organise days out for them, similar to school trips, where they can experience new places and learn how to behave well in these settings.
Our visits to Chatsworth have provided a great opportunity for our pups to explore sensory environments, in a controlled way, preparing them for any similar visits they might make during their working life.
Shenagh Firth, Visitor Experience Leader at Chatsworth, said:
It’s been a privilege supporting the Guide Dogs team, and we’ve loved having the puppies come and visit.
We very much hope that once they’re fully qualified, they’ll come back and visit us again with their new owners.
We want everyone to feel that Chatsworth is a place for them, and to be able to experience everything we have to offer.
Guide dogs play a vital role in providing independence for people affected by sight loss and we hope to have the opportunity to work with Stephanie and the team again.
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the Chatsworth Garden and park. Only assistance dogs, such as guide dogs, are allowed in the house, farmyard and adventure playground, due to the fragile nature of some objects in the house, and the presence of animals in the farmyard.
Find out more about becoming a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs on our volunteering pages.
