Partnerships Page 2

Ann Ruddick MBE, from Malton in North Yorkshire, is marking 50 years of guide dog ownership this festive season, celebrating the amazing six guide dogs she has been partnered with since 1973.

The Dodd-Moore family from Bedlington in Northumberland, are marking their first Christmas with Guide Dogs buddy dog, Buddy, who they say has transformed their lives since he was partnered with five year old JJ.

Janet and Ralph Sample, from Gateshead tell their story as they celebrate 10 years of marriage, just months after they qualified together with their guide dogs Hugo and Chelsea.

The International Guide Dog Federation (IDGF) comprises of 95 organisations from all around the globe, all working to uphold standards of excellence in the breeding, raising, training and partnering of guide dogs. The IGDF’s biennial conference gives different guide dog schools the chance to come together in one place for a week of communication and collaboration. This year, I and other members of Guide Dogs staff were able to join our international colleagues in Vancouver, Canada.

We’re making good progress with the continued recovery and transformation of the guide dog service.