If you’re having a ruff week, then it’s well worth visiting the Letterkenny Shopping Centre this Friday afternoon for a cheering up.
Irish Guide Dogs, Assistance Dogs and Ambassador Dogs are having a puppy party today to celebrate the relaunch of the local branch of the Irish Guide Dogs charity in Donegal.
The gathering is the pawfect chance to learn about the organisation and donate a few euro to support the training and care of life-changing dogs.
Ambassador Zaide at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Irish Guide Dogs Regional Volunteer Coordinator Lynda Foley and local brand ambassdor Jennifer Doherty with guide dog Sybil at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
There are 14 working dogs in Donegal – seven assistance dogs for children with autism and seven guide dogs for people with visual impairments.
The newly launched branch will be led by guide dog user and local awareness ambassador Jennifer Doherty, puppy trainer Lesley Newberry and kennels owner Michelle Healy.
The team have brought some friendly companions with them to celebrate the launch, much to the delight of shoppers in Letterkenny.
Jennifer Doherty, Lesley Newberry, Michelle Healy, Harry McDaid, Alex Good and Lynda Foley with Sybil, Zaide and Millie
Shoppers from the Ballyraine Training Centre with Jennifer Doherty and Sybil at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Tracey and Ryan Peoples, Con Baird and Ambassador Dog Zaide at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Dog lovers can visit the stand to pick up some great merchandise, including bags, notebooks, toys and popular puppy teddies with their own harnesses. Raffle tickets are on sale for a national draw with a Ford Focus up for grabs.
People can also sign up to volunteer with the local branch or apply for a representative to visit their workplace or school/ college and give a talk.
Every euro counts for Irish Guide Dogs, which has around 70 branches across the country.
Lynda Foley, regional fundraising coordinator said: “It costs €5million a year to provide the services we do for people who are visually impaired and children with autism. We have a large volunteer network and I am super grateful to the people here in Donegal who are giving up their time voluntarily to support the organisation. Our headquarters is in Cork, so we are absolutely thrilled to be reaching up to Letterkenny and into Donegal.”
The Donegal branch will link local guide dog and assistance dog owners socially and co-ordinate fundraisers throughout the year, particularly at Christmas and the annual Guide Dog collection day.
Check out the Facebook page for more info:Donegal Branch of Irish Guide Dogs
Ambassador Dog Millie at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Claire Doherty with assistance dog Banjo and local brand ambassdor Jennifer Doherty with guide dog Sybil at the launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Launch of the Donegal branch of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Photo Rachel McLaughlin