This October, as part of the Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal, schools across the country are invited to something very special – our first-ever live assembly.
A paw-some lesson in inclusion and compassion
The free, interactive assembly on Thursday 9 October will introduce children to our iconic puppies and the incredible journey they take to become life-changing partners. Pupils will hear about the challenges of living with sight loss and explore the important values of inclusion and compassion. They can ask questions live, take part in challenges, and of course will see lots of pups!
Alongside the assembly, teachers will be able to download ready-to-go lessons and activities from our Learn with Guide Dogs programme, educating kids about sight loss and our amazing dogs.
Joining the pack
It’s not just schools taking part. Taking place throughout October, in celebration of the first-ever guide dog partnerships, the Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal is a chance for people of all ages to make a real difference. There are so many fun ways to get involved, either with friends and family, colleagues, or community, as well as nurseries, schools and youth groups.
Find out more about joining in with the assembly and Guide Dogs Puppy Appeal at guidedogs.org.uk/pups.
Why it matters
Every day, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight – that’s one person every six minutes. Living with sight loss can be incredibly difficult. Without the right support, people can be left feeling alone and isolated. But our dogs transform the lives of people with vision impairments; being partnered with a guide dog reduces loneliness and enables people with sight loss to get out and live the life they choose.
Every year around 1,350 puppies start their journey to become a guide dog and it costs £77,000 to breed, puppy raise and train each one. We might not all know how to train a puppy to become a life-changing guide dog, but everyone can help play a part by supporting the appeal.
This October is about more than fundraising – it’s about bringing people together to celebrate our extraordinary dogs and raising awareness of the life-changing difference they make. We can’t wait to welcome schools, families and communities across the UK to join the pack and celebrate with us.
