Some of Donegal’s most pawsome dogs were lapping up the love at a fundraising coffee morning for Irish Guide Dogs in Letterkenny yesterday.
John Wilkie’s event in the Station House Hotel in Letterkenny saw over €1,000 raised as people enjoyed a cuppa in the company of beautiful canines.
Guests got to meet star pups in training (as young as six months old) and see working guide dogs and assistance dogs in action.
Students from St Eunan’s College meet puppies-in-training Sally and Neptune handlers Annie Gallagher and Dearbhla McMenamin at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Clare McGlinchey and Perry the assistance dog at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Dustin the assistance dog gets a well-earned snack from Rebecca Crowe at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Ahead of Guide Dog Day today (Friday), the morning was a chance for people to learn about the incredible work the dogs do, from their training journeys to the life-changing impact they have on people with sight loss or autism in Donegal. (See below for a list of more events take place this week)
Donegal has a very active branch of Irish Guide Dogs volunteers. Ten puppies are being raised in the county at present. Eight trained guide dogs and four assistance dogs are providing life-changing services to individuals. Community dog Oreo is a popular fixture at St. Columba’s Comprehensive, Glenties.
Organiser John Wilkie expressed his gratitude to all who supported the day: “A big thanks to all who came along and supported this amazing event! And of course, a huge thanks to our amazing dogs!”
Fionnuala and Dearbhla McMenamin with Neptune, who heads off for training in Cork next week. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Annie Gallagher, Dearbhla McMenamin and Eamonn Doherty with Sally the puppy-in-training at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
A raffle was packed with fantastic prizes from local businesses and tickets were also picked up for the charity’s €5,000 holiday giveaway, generating an additional €250.
Spot Prize winners:
C. Neely (€50 Dunnes Stores voucher)
C. Stewart (€30 voucher for McDonalds)
Kerry O’Donnell (€25 voucher for Watson Hire )
C. Mc Glinchey (€25 Watson hire )
Raymond Sweeney €20 voucher for Johnny’s Ranch
Annie Gallagher ( headset )
C.Mc Glinchey (headset)
Neil Blockley (wine )
Shaun and Dylan and Neptune
Deborah Harrigan at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Margaret Toner and John Wilkie at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Annie Gallagher and Sally, Fionnuala McMenamin and Neptune, Clare McGlinchey and Perry, Rebecca Crowe and Dustin, John Wilkie, Jennifer Doherty and Quid and Rachael Mc Crossan and Taylor at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Jennifer Doherty and Quid at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Check out more of Donegal’s guide dog day events this week:
- Shop Collections: Friday, May 24th, 10am onwards at SuperValu Buncrana, Carndonagh, and Donegal Town. Get a chance to meet a pup and enter a raffle to win a holiday!
- Variety Concert: Friday, May 24th, 7.30pm-9.30pm at Milford Reformed Presbyterian Church. Featuring live music, performances, and puppies in training! Tickets (€10) available at https://klubfunder.com/Clubs/Milford_and_District_Resource_Centre/TicketSales
- Community Dog Walk: Saturday, May 25th, 2-4pm at Glenveagh National Park. Enjoy a scenic walk from the car park to the castle with your furry friend (all dogs welcome!)
Tim O’Mahony, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind said; “Guide Dog Day last year enabled us to successfully match 58 Guide Dog and Assistance Dog partnerships and place 8 Community Dogs in schools and facilities around the country.
“With the training of one Guide Dog costing approximately €53,000 we need immense support on Guide Dog Day this year to achieve our target of changing the lives of 84 families in 2024 through the provision of our services. In addition to those 84 families, we will also support the 400 clients who currently have our dogs.”
For more information visit: https://www.guidedogs.ie/events
Bernie Sweeney and Noelle Smullen at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Karen and Ivan Browne at the Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
The Irish Guide Dogs Coffee Morning. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Find out about the different volunteer roles available: https://buff.ly/3zD1y9r or follow the Facebook page at Irish Guide Dogs Donegal Branch