Willow's Puppy Page

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New horizons

Whilst we have a world-class breeding and training programme with one of the highest partnership success rates, for some of our four-legged family, guiding is simply not the right career for them. Since your last Pupdate, we have made the very difficult decision to take Willow out of the guide dog training programme. This is not a decision that we take lightly but we hope you understand that her wellbeing and the safety of our future guide dog owners is our number one priority. 

Willow’s trainer Charlotte previously explained how Willow was having some confidence issues when guiding. Although Willow had made some improvements, she still lacked the confidence to guide consistently. If she were to continue training and be matched to a person with a visual impairment, we would not be able to trust Willow to keep them safe whilst out and about. 

Willow was carefully considered for an alternative career as a buddy dog, but as she is a quiet dog who prefers things on her own terms and can take some time to form a connection with people, it was felt that a buddy dog career wasn’t going to be right for Willow. Although this isn’t the news you were expecting, we’re pleased to say that Willow has already been rehomed!  


Your downloadable content

Download your Facebook cover photo and mobile wallpaper to show off your sponsored pup! 

Follow Willow on Facebook

See real time updates, photos and videos of Willow by joining her exclusive Facebook group!

Please note, by requesting to join your puppy’s Facebook group you consent to Guide Dogs storing your Facebook ID on our database. This information will be used only for the purpose of administering your access to this group and, if you choose to sponsor another puppy in future, any similar groups. If you choose to cancel your sponsorship, or if your sponsorship comes to an end, we will remove your Facebook ID details from our records.


Willow's photo gallery


Willow's video gallery

Previous Pupdates

Here you can find all of Willow's previous Pupdates so you can look back on her incredible journey.