FRIEND IN HARNESSISSUE ONE 2015

Ed’s Note - A word from Linda Bowen

Insight - Artificial Insemination

Head Office Report - Marketing

Training Report Back - Service Dogs, Guide Dogs and Puppy Raising

Health - Low vision

Inspiration - Donation

Storyline - The very best man

Events - Golf Day and raffle

Meet the team - Alson Maphosa

Service Dogs - By your side

In memory - Galago

Volunteers - Joan Roding

Obituary - People and pets who have passed

Sponsorship - How you can help

Nursery news - What’s happening in Puppy Block

Graduates - New partnerships

Cycle challenge - Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge

Meet the team - Monica Steen

Storyline - Dare to dream

Puppy Raiser - Angel Conradie – living with dogs

Breed feature - The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Health Q&A - Handling obesity

COM report - News from the College

Collar & Tie - Join the club

In memory - The story of Kellogg

KZN report - Fundraising news

Cape Town report - Fundraising news

Ways to donate - Payroll giving and debit orders

New ideas - Identipet saves lives

Ed’s NoteAll In The Dark

Working for S A Guide-Dogs I have a great deal of empathy and compassion for blind and visually impaired people, but I must admit that all the recent load shedding has definitely put a new perspective on things for me. Fumbling around in the dark trying to get my bearings in what is a totally familiar environment; finding candles, avoiding the dogs sleeping on the carpet and almost knocking over the cup of tea that I had left on the counter, it suddenly dawned on me that for some, life is 24/7 load shedding. I have developed a newfound respect for people who are certainly not disabled, but merely differently-abled.

Over the quieter December period I was given the opportunity to walk under blindfold with Guide Dog in training Razz. She is a beautiful Golden Retriever, just 18 months old, with the sweetest nature. This young lady led me through a very busy street in Parkmore, up and down curbs, crossing roads and even avoiding a huge ice truck making a delivery at a local bottle store. What an absolutely wonderful experience.

Des and Elsa, our new caretakers, who took over from Arleen, are settled in and adjusting to the hustle and bustle of life at Guide-Dogs. Having survived the Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Market, staff Christmas functions and the facilities hired out for both private Christmas and Birthday parties, they certainly were thrown in the deep end. I am sure that all events going forward will be a breeze in comparison. Welcome Des and Elsa you have both already made a great contribution to GDA.

Two of our ladies in the admin office are entering the new and exciting world of motherhood. We are very excited to be growing our Guide-Dogs family with a few of the two legged kind for a change. I look forward to introducing the new additions to you in our next edition.

Linda Bowen

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Appeal for Weekend homers

We have started a weekend homing programme for our adult dogs in training. Dogs remaining in kennels over weekends without enough stimulation can become bored. This initiative will enable our dogs to spend weekends in a family environment where they can stretch their legs and just relax. The majority of homes are required in the Johannesburg area, with a few for Cape Town. Please contact Caroline Human on 011 705 3512 if you would like more information on the Programme.

InsightArtificial InseminationExpanding Guide-Dogs’ bloodlines

Early last year we received a generous consignment of frozen semen from a selection of hand-picked stud dogs belonging to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Guide Dogs for the Blind in the USA. With the use of this semen we hope to improve and expand our existing bloodlines.

BenefitsArtificial insemination (AI) is commonly used instead of natural mating in many species of animals because of the many benefits it holds. AI gives us the opportunity to use proven studs from Guide Dog Organisations abroad. These organisations have been using the very scientific approach of Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) for years. All known data, about every dog’s health and work behaviour is analysed by a computer programme. Each dog will receive an overall score and the higher the score the better the bloodline of the dog. A dog is not scored in isolation; the whole family is scored (mother, father, uncle, cousin and more) and this will have an impact on the overall scoring of the dog. This approach enables the ‘best’ dogs to be selected for breeding purposes. If you don’t use Estimated Breeding Values it is very difficult to objectively rate two dogs as you have to consider so many independent factors. The frozen semen that was received from the organisations in America is from proven lines that have been used for generations. Using EBV enables you to gradually improve the gene pool generation after generation.

The processWhen our brood bitches come into season they are taken through to Onderstepoort in Pretoria for the AI process. The dogs are kept there for about a three-week period where they undergo regular blood tests to check hormone levels and to determine the ideal time to inseminate. Once impregnated the brood bitches return to live with their Puppy Raisers where they are loved and adored while creating our future Guide Dogs. The gestation period for dogs is between 58 to 65 days, at which time the dogs return to GDA where they live in luxurious air-conditioned accommodation until they give birth to their litter of pups. The puppies will remain with mom in the nursery until fully weaned at about eight weeks, when they will go out to their Puppy Raisers and begin their new adventure. Mom gets to return home for some pampering and a much needed break.

We are very excited about the prospect of being able to supply better dogs with each passing generation, and with the introduction of these new lines we hope to expand the quality of Guide Dogs in South Africa.

Gail Glover

Head Office ReportMarketing NewsJohannesburg

Meet the National Marketing & Fundraising Team: Gauteng: Alson Maphosa, who celebrates three years with the team in March, and Linda Bowen and Monique Boucher who joined in the second half of 2014. Rose Chamberlain, our very own Friend Raiser, and yours truly with O’Reilly Retriever. Hilary Damant also became a very valuable asset to the team during the past year and became especially well-known for her input in making the 947 Cycle Challenge a huge success! Sadly Hilary leaves us to return to the UK in March. She will be sorely missed. Cape Town: Teagan Schwerin heads our Cape Town team, and is supported by Vivian Cook.Kwazulu Natal: Diane Turner is based on the KZN South Coast.

Annual GDA Car Competition: Congratulations to Mrs Karen Joubert of Johannesburg, Gauteng, who was the lucky winner of the Honda Brio – the prize in our 2014 annual car competition. What made this extra special is the fact that Karen is a long-standing supporter of GDA! Sincere thanks to all the Puppy Raisers, volunteers and staff who assisted with selling tickets. We would not be able to do this without your help. Also a huge thank you to all the expo organisers and shopping centre managers who gave us space to have the car there and sell tickets. Do not miss your chance to win in the 2015 annual competition – a white Suzuki Alto is up for grabs!

A walk on the Red Carpet at the S A Guide-Dogs Annual BallThe South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s Red Carpet Affair Ball was held on Saturday 13 September at Montecasino. The evening abounded with charity and goodwill, and thanks to the generosity of patrons a record amount of R600 000 was raised for GDA. This exceeds all previous records and makes the 2014 Ball the most successful to date.

This was the eighth consecutive year that Montecasino, Gauteng’s premier entertainment destination, hosted this event. The magic of Montecasino provided the perfect atmosphere for the night of glitz and glamour. The exquisite décor was sponsored by Gideon’s Flowers & Functions. Added to this was MJ Event Gear’s sound and lighting sponsorship which turned the Ball room into a night to be remembered!

Patron Ashley Hayden looked absolutely spectacular in her red ball gown and delighted the crowd with her warm personality and passion for this very worthwhile cause. Miss Earth beauties proudly presented the 12-week-old Golden Retriever puppies who stole the limelight. Adding his spin on things was visually impaired DJ Calvin Botha, aka DJ Darkness. Calvin was accompanied by his beautiful Guide Dog Dolce.

A very big thank you to everyone who showed their commitment on the night by means of sponsorships and donations, making dreams come true by providing visually or physically impaired people with the gift of independence, mobility and companionship. It truly was a night to remember!

Pieter van Niekerk

Training Report-BackService and Autism Support Dogs

The demand for Service and Autism Support dogs is on the increase and applications continue to pour in.

Our amazing dogs, who love unconditionally, make a difference in many peoples’ lives, not just their new owners and families. Some of the Autism Support Dogs attend school and have a positive impact on all the children. Many of the children who seldom interact start to do so with dogs. It is truly a blessing to be able to witness this.

Encouraging interactionService Dogs help not only with daily tasks but also with social interaction. The Service Dog acts as a bridge which encourages interaction. The joy experienced by those close to the service dog owners as they see the person’s confidence and independence grow is profound.

The majority of the Service Dog’s work is comprised of three actions. The retrieve, push and pull. For example, if someone needed to get something out of a cupboard, they would command their dog to pull the cupboard door, retrieve what they wanted from the cupboard and then push the door closed. This procedure can then be used in a variety of situations.

Besides these three basic actions, the dogs are also taught to bark on command. This is useful for owners that have very poor voices and would not be heard if they called for help. The ‘speak’ command has also been used in speech therapy for autistic children.

‘Push’ is also used to get help. The dogs are taught to find a specific person and then push or nudge that person with their nose. This indicates that the owner has sent the dog to them. The dogs have a lot of fun learning and practicing these tasks.

So many people are involved and positively influenced by the whole process that one cannot help but be enriched for having been a part of the experience.

Maxine Geddie

Training Report-BackGuide Dogs

Our puppies come back to the GDA Training Centre for their formal training at 12 months of age. Each instructor is responsible for training six dogs. It is quite a challenge to transform young, exuberant dogs into mature Guide Dogs. Young dogs will be assessed to ensure that they have the potential to be Guide Dogs. Our goal is to train happy dogs who love to guide their owners.

Shaping learningThe instructor shapes the dog’s learning. In the early stages the instructor shows the dog what to do in each situation. As the dog gains experience it is allowed to take more and more responsibility. In the final stages the dog demonstrates his understanding by performing guide work while his instructor is under blindfold. Blindfold work helps the instructor to identify the dog’s strengths and weaknesses and the dog gains a lot of experience whilst guiding his usually sure-footed instructor under blindfold. This test assists the instructor in determining if the Guide Dog is ready to take the responsibility of guiding a visually impaired person, and in choosing the right match for the dog.

Time under blindfoldIt is always a good experience for instructors to spend some time under blindfold before embarking on training visually impaired people with their new Guide Dogs. Under blindfold your gait, balance confidence and sense of direction are affected. When you are not used to being under blindfold, you also tire a bit more easily (as you are concentrating so hard on interpreting the clues from the environment). This experience will assist the instructor in gaining empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by the new Guide Dog Owner as they begin to working with their dog.

MatchmakingWhen the instructor is satisfied that the Guide Dog is ready to be matched to a visually impaired person, they will make the match by considering everything that they know about the dog and everything that they know about the person. Important factors are natural walking speed, balance, working environments and lifestyle. The Guide Dog Owner and his new Guide Dog train together for about four weeks in total. Some of this time is spent at the Training Centre and some of the time is in the owner’s home environment. We provide a follow-up service and are on-hand to assist our clients until the dog retires. Many owners keep their retired Guide Dog as a pet. If they are unable to keep their dog, then we will find a loving home for this special dog.

Mandla Nxumalo

Kennels and Puppy Raising Report 2015

Firstly to all our Puppy Raisers, a huge thank you. These very special volunteers take one of our seven-week-old puppies into their homes, families and lives, for a year.

Thank you to our Breed Stock Holders for taking such good care of our very precious breeding stock dogs. This year we have one stud dog and two brood bitches who are being retired.

RetireesAddie has sired four litters and 30 puppies for GDA during his career, and has been well loved around kennels for his extremely exuberant approach to life. VB will retire after producing three litters and 17 pups for GDA, and Jelly is retiring after producing four litters and 32 puppies for GDA. Both girls will be missed for their serious and earnest approach to raising their puppies.

Temporary homersA big thank you to all our ‘temporary homers’ who take on our dogs in training or puppies in need of a temporary home for a period of time, and to our ‘weekend homers’, who fight their way through the traffic every Friday afternoon and Monday morning.

Particular thanks to: Our puppy handlers and kennel volunteers; Jan, who keeps a check on all of GDA’s vehicles; Liz, who does hydrotherapy at the centre with those dogs needing it; Karin, who gives our puppies their first check-up, inoculations and micro chipping; Sandra, whose sewing machine has been getting a workout making Service Dog jackets; and All the individuals, schools, organisations and businesses who make various donations. Matco who donated another 20 non-slip mats to GDA, which will be used in puppy block, hospital and

around the bath during ‘dipping day’, to stop staff and dogs from skating across wet concrete floors.

New arrivalFinally, Ané Steytler joined Monica as a learner puppy raising supervisor in October last year, and coming from a background of training, she has been able to find her feet and slot into the swing of things very quickly.

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We thank our loyal supporters:Bob Martin, Merial, Camsecure, Identipet, Inqaba Biotec and Vriesit Laboratories

Caroline Human

HealthLow Vision…Who are you going to call?

Should you or one of your family members or even one of your friends be diagnosed with an eye condition causing low vision, who are you going to turn to? Who are you going to call? Assuming all possible medical and surgical treatments available have been performed, is there anything more that can be done? There are many people facing this dilemma.

Management optionsNothing prepares a person for sight impairment, whether present at birth or appearing later in life. Almost every aspect of daily life becomes disrupted and might result in feelings of helplessness and frustration. To add to this, the person is often told that nothing can be done. Even persons receiving treatment for chronic eye conditions frequently find that the disease gets more attention than the vision. They often do not complain, because they are waiting for treatment to restore sight to its former level without realising or being told that they would never again see normally. All too often people are told to live with their visual loss and are left to manage their reduced vision as best they can, when they could have benefited from low vision management options.

What to askA low vision optometrist is one who has spent time mastering the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of people who have suffered vision loss that cannot be improved with regular spectacle correction. However, not all optometrists offer low vision services. A short list of questions follow which might help you decide whether your optometrist is qualified to give you the best possible low vision care you deserve:

Do you have special low vision charts to assess my level of vision? Do you have a range of low vision magnifying devices? Do you provide training in the use of the low vision magnifying devices? Will you provide regular assessments of my visual condition to ensure I am using my low vision device

optimally?

Low vision rehabilitation encourages you to use what vision you have to improve the quality of your life and improve your level of independence. Professionals such as occupational therapists, social workers, orientation and mobility instructors, skills developers and even psychologists can also play an important role in rehabilitation. So take the next step and find out where you can get assistance.

Hazel Sacharowitz, Dip Optom FOA(SA) FAAOwww.lowvision.co.za

InspirationA Christmas GiftA meaningful cause

For many years I’ve felt that Christmas would be so much more meaningful if we could make a small difference in someone’s life who really needed it, rather than so much self-indulgence. When I spoke to my children and grandchildren, they were all more than happy to give up their presents from us.

So which charity to choose? There are so many deserving causes but somehow South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind has always pulled at my heart and the kids all whole heartedly agreed.

I’ll never forget the day (a life-time ago!) – I was a pupil at Parktown Girls High School and Gladys Evans came with Sheena to speak to us all – it was awesome. It’s just so amazing what these wonderful Guide and Service Dogs can do and the bond between dog and owner always brings tears to my eyes. I’m a total Labrador lover and most Guide Dogs are Labradors or Golden Retrievers!

I asked the rest of our family to please donate to the Guide-Dogs instead of any gifts for us and I know that my sister and other family members also sent donations in lieu of Christmas gifts to their families.

My daughter created a slideshow of Guide Dogs and their owners which we showed on Christmas morning, as a reminder of the difference that we have made in our own small way.

Thank you all for the amazing work that you do, we definitely would like to continue with this Christmas tradition.

Vanessa Muller

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The Muller family are by no means the only ones who donate to GDA in lieu of gifts for their family.

Take Doreen Steele (83) and her late husband Des who have opened their ‘Christmas House’ to visitors for the last 28 years. Thousands of families have been treated to the magical story of how Father Christmas gets our presents to us.

In December 2014 approximately 1,900 people visited her home and through generous donations Doreen was able to spread some belated Christmas cheer by making a wonderful donation to GDA.

StorylineKelby and her ‘Dog of Honour’ KhanThe very best ‘man’

Some of you might remember Kelby de Villiers, the proud owner of Service Dog Khan. Kelby suffers from Cerebral Palsy, more specifically Spastic Diplegia, which has resulted in her being confined to a wheelchair. Since we last spoke to Kelby her life has changed dramatically (luckily for the better).

Big changesFirstly, she and Jenge were married on 11 October 2014 and she is now Mrs Kelby Englebrecht, and thanks to her ‘dog of honour’, Khan, Kelby was able to actually walk down the aisle and spend her entire wedding day on her feet, her wheelchair left at home for a day off.

The other important change in Kelby’s life is that she is currently employed on contract at Guide-Dogs, where she is filling a temporary admin clerk position. She and Khan have settled in nicely at the office, with Kelby slotting into the team effortlessly. Khan has taken to life at GDA like a duck to water, spending all day in the office assisting Kelby by picking up anything she drops, helping her move around the office, opening doors and turning on lights. Khan is learning new skills at the office as well, including calling Jayne when Kelby is showing signs of tiredness and fetching his lead from Kelby when he needs to be taken outside for a ‘busy’.

Refreshing attitudeKelby has found her colleagues’ attitude toward Khan very refreshing as everybody immediately accepted him as part of the team. “It certainly makes coming to work so much easier knowing that Khan doesn’t have to remain under my desk at all times”, says Kelby.

Kelby and Khan have been together for two years and she says her life, with her precious Service Dog, has improved tremendously. He helps her in countless ways ensuring she lives a full life. Kelby says she cannot imagine her life without her trusted companion and is looking forward to many more years working alongside Khan.

Kelby Engelbrecht

Events

Our annual car raffle is underway. This year you stand the chance of winning a brand new Suzuki Alto 1.0 valued at over R110 000. The Suzuki comes with electric windows, power steering, air-conditioner, central locking and fog lights. The year the draw will take place on 25 November. Tickets cost just R20.00 each. Please contact Monique Boucher (moniqueb@guidedog.org.za) if you require any additional information.

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S A Guide-Dogs’ 27th annual golf day will be held at the Kyalami Country Club on 22 May 2015. Players will be given the opportunity to play one shot under blindfold, a real eye opening experience of the hardships dealt with by the visually impaired on a daily basis. We once again hope for a full field of 36 teams. Please contact Alson Maphosa (alsonm@guidedog.org.za) if you would like to enter a four ball, sponsor a hole or if you would like to donate an item to be auctioned on the day.

Meet the TeamAlson Maphosa (Marketing and fundraising)

How long have you been involved with the S A Guide-Dogs Association?Three years.

What do you do for the organization?Marketing and fundraising.

Do you have a Labrador or a Guide Dog of your own?Unfortunately not. I stay in a complex with a huge sign at the gate with ‘No Animals Allowed’ written on it. I’ve got budgies to compensate though.

What initially prompted you to get involved with the Guide-Dogs Association?My love for helping people in need and animals. GDA brings the two together.

What would you say is the biggest challenge facing visually impaired people in South Africa?I think public services that are friendly and accommodative to the visually impaired.

If you could implement a new law, what would it be?Any violence on women would carry a minimum of a R50 000 fine or a 5 year jail term. This would work to deter gender-based violence and serve to empower women. Too many women die at the hands of their loved ones and this has to change.

What is your favourite part of the job?Seeing the smiles on the people that the organisation assists. It’s priceless. GDA is working to change lives every day.

What is your least favourite part?Clearing the grounds after an event.

Do you have a favourite Guide Dog at the centre, and if so, what is his name?Yes – one of our PR dogs, Waffle. Reminds me of a younger me – lazy, sweet and chubby.

What is your favourite food?Meat, meat and more meat.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?Anywhere – as long as I am with my wife and kids. Are you married?Yes – to the most beautiful woman.

Do you have children?2 sweet bunnies. A boy and a girl. They mean the world to me.

What is your favourite Guide-Dogs Association event that is held during the year?Golf Day – I work with such an amazing team and everything just flows.

If you could change something about the world, what would it be?I would change individualism amongst people. If we could have the spirit of connectedness, we would work together, help those that are weak amongst us and the world would truly be much better.

Do you have a role model? If so, who is it?Mahatma Ghandi. He showed that it was possible to live together and change things without violence.

What music do you enjoy listening to?Everything and anything with a good rhythm. However, when I was younger I was a staunch Hip Hop follower – and I still pretty much enjoy that genre.

Do you have a favourite movie?Am not really into movies. I enjoy series more. Breaking bad, Prison break, Lost and 24, top the list.

Do you have a favourite colleague who you work with?I get on very well with all my colleagues.

What is your favourite day of the year and why?My birthday ……everyone is nice to me on this day and I get presents.

Service DogsBy Your Side

It’s deliciously cool here in the shade of the trees, and I would love to close my eyes and drift off for a while. But I can’t allow myself a nap quite yet - the children are still running around after the ball in the late-afternoon sunshine and Peter might need me.

He seems to be managing fine, though we always have to be careful he doesn’t push himself too far. Thomas and Amy are usually quick to notice and to help him but like any seven-year-old he sometimes ignores his brother and sister, especially when he’s having as much fun as he is today.

And how truly wonderful it is to see him playing so happily! The slight drag of his left hand and foot is only obvious if you know to look for it, and there is no sign at all of the withdrawn moody child he was when I joined the Johnson household six months ago.

I’ve always loved children, particularly sad and lonely children, and no-one was surprised when I chose this line of work. I think I am calm and patient by nature, and my training gave me the specific skills to help a child like Peter as well as the confidence to do so.

When I first met him he was angry, frustrated and very aware of how his disability makes him “different”. He was unhappy at school, avoided any contact with other children, and his tantrums at home were something to see. Sally and David, his parents, had tried everything they could think of to make his life easier and the stress was taking its toll on the whole family.

Now, I am the one who wakes Peter in the morning and we play for a while before I help him get dressed. I go with him to school, walk with him into the classroom and see him settled at his desk. I’ve got to know his teacher and his classmates and we always exchange a few friendly greetings before I leave him there. After school, I go with him to his therapy and physio sessions where there are more happy encounters with friends. I particularly enjoy seeing him play confidently and easily with other children – so different from how he used to be. There are hardly any tantrums these days and he is just an ordinary little boy again, mischievous and cheerful and interested in everything.

I think the rest of his family are finding life easier too. I have heard Sally and David tell people so and Sally thanks me every day for the help I give. I wish I could convince her that it works both ways – I am just so happy to be part of their lives, and I love Peter every bit as much as he has grown to love me.

Today is Peter’s birthday party and he’s the star of it all. We’ve had the food and the gifts and the cake and candles; I thought he might struggle to blow out all seven candles but he managed just fine. Sally had organised some party games and I joined in to help Peter with Pass-the-Parcel - that was such fun! Then the children started a game of football on the lawn and Peter wanted me to play too. It soon became clear to everyone that I didn’t have a clue about the proper rules of the game so they made me goalie – I’m not sure that I did what I was supposed to there either, but I certainly enjoyed myself immensely.

I had to stop for a rest after a while but Peter and the other children carried on. From my shady spot here I can see them all slowing down a little now and I’m happy to be reassured that Peter looks no more tired than any of the others. When he sees me his smile lights up his whole face.

“Mylo!’ he calls, and sets off towards me with his only-slightly-uneven gait. When he reaches me he throws himself down beside me and buries his face in my fur.

“You’re such a good dog, Mylo,” he says. “You’re my very best friend for ever.”

Inspired by Jason and Dancer

In MemoryGalago – Another Word for BushbabyThe beginning of a journey

My journey with the South African Guide-Dog Association for the Blind (GDA) began as a result of a newspaper article which changed my life.

I had been put on a disability pension because I had developed a rare, life-threatening lung condition and was at a loss as to what to do with myself. Although I was on supplementary oxygen and tired very easily I felt that I still had something to offer.

Turning pointIn February 2007 I read an article in the local newspaper, entitled ‘Puppy Raisers show a special kind of love’ in which the Puppy Raising programme run by GDA was outlined. I just knew that this was what I had been waiting for and phoning the number given in the article was the best decision I had made in a long time.Caroline and Monica came to check that our property was safe and that we were the kind of family who would take good care of their valuable little puppy. I then received the call that I could fetch my puppy, a black female Labrador with beautiful big brown eyes, who we decided to call Galago, which is another name for Bushbaby.At bed time on that first night I put Galago in the bathroom on her blanket with a hot water bottle and some toys. In the morning when I woke up, Galago was missing. After a frantic search I found her curled up fast asleep amongst my shoes in the walk-in cupboard. Needless to say, that is where she slept most nights until she could no longer fit.The year went by so quickly and I before I knew it I received the dreaded call that she had to be back for training. I was bereft and moped around a very quiet, orderly house until our new Guide Dog puppy Shikoba arrived to fill the void left in our lives.

Into trainingWhen Galago qualified she was sent to Worcester to join her new owner, David Hubert. Sadly I did not see her again but I did hear of her progress from time to time. Galago worked happily and willingly with David until the end of 2011.Early the next year I received a call from Cheryl in the Cape town office who told me that Galago had developed some lumps and on investigation had been diagnosed with lymphoma. I was devastated. Cheryl said that they were treating her with chemotherapy, that she was responding well and that she would keep me informed of her progress.

Farewell GalagoOn 20 April 2012 I received a call from Gail, at the Guide-Dog office in Johannesburg to tell me that Galago’s health had deteriorated and that she was no longer responding to treatment. They had decided to end her suffering. It was such a sad day for me and I could not even begin to imagine how David must have felt, losing the dog that had been his constant loyal companion for four years!I am so grateful to Cheryl for all the love and care that she gave Galago in her time of need. For the hours she sat trying to feed her, taking her for her treatments and being with her in the end, and to GDA for covering all her medical costs during this very difficult time.I will never forget you Galago, you were a beautiful dog who gave me a new perspective and changed my life. Rest in peace.

Sandra Small

VolunteerJoan RodingDecades of dedication

Joan Roding has been involved with the Guide-Dogs Association for 24 years and her dedication for the Association was evident during her interview. Joan was born in South Africa and worked in the theatre industry as a stage manager for several years, before deciding it was time to see the world. She lived and worked in the UK for about 2 years before returning to South Africa, where she met and married her husband, Bob. They have two lovely daughters Delia, who works at Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind in the United Kingdom, and Ingrid, who lives in Johannesburg, with Joan’s two granddaughters.

Joan became a Puppy Raiser in 1990, after her daughter Delia (a trainer at Guide-Dogs South Africa at the time) convinced her to. Joan tells that during her time as a Puppy Raiser she had raised ‘only’ nine pups. When asked if she had a favourite, she guiltily grins and says Vidi, a black Labrador, who just has a special place in her heart.

Being a vollieIn 1993 Joan became a volunteer for us and she has done her fair share of jobs during this time. She has seen many changes, not only in the Vollies, who give of their time weekly, but also in the Association itself. According to Joan the worst part of the job as a Vollie was having to count street collections, and she is also very grateful that stamps no longer require licking. Her favourite part of being a Vollie is interacting with the staff and other Vollies.

As part of her involvement with the Association, she provided a home for Hetta, who was selected as a brood bitch. Hetta had 4 litters of pups over the years, producing a total of 34 pups for Guide-Dogs. Hetta (who will be 11 this year) now lives in a retirement village with Joan. Two other Guide-Dog brood bitches Shady and Rosie are also enjoying their retirement with their respective owners in the same village.

A full lifeJoan has no regrets in life and says she has done almost everything she wanted to, which is incredibly admirable. Her advice to everyone is to travel while you have the chance, as she sees her time in the UK as one of the highlights of her life.

Joan celebrated her ‘coming of age’ as a volunteer during 2014 and we hope she will continue to be part of the Guide-Dogs team for many years to come.

Monique Boucher

ObituaryWe Remember with FondnessOur beloved working dogs

Allie 14/05/2006 – 21/11/2014Brady 01/05/2005 – 20/10/2014Bravo 14/11/2003 – 01/11/2014Flint 07/07/2004 – 07/01/2015Gypsey 07/10/2001 – 17/11/2014Keato 13/06/2002 – 21/12/2014Onyx 08/11/2002 – 05/12/2014Zuni 11/05/2005 – 01/10/2014

How Precious the time…How Beautiful the Memories

Sponsorship2015 Dog Sponsorship Programme

Puppy Sponsorship – R5 000.00 GDA allocation of pup Electronic postcard with photo introducing pup Updates every three months during the first year

Bronze Sponsorship – R10 000.00 GDA allocation of pup Electronic postcard with photo introducing pup Updates every three months during the first year One visit from your pup

Silver Sponsorship – R25 000.00 GDA allocation of pup Electronic postcard with photo introducing pup Updates every three months during the first year Two visits from your pup Updates every three months from trainer once in training

Gold Sponsorship – R50 000.00 Select own pup from photographs Electronic postcard with photo introducing pup Updates every three months during the first year Three visits from your pup Updates every two months from trainer once in training Photo of dog in quality frame

Platinum Sponsorship – R80 000.00 Select own pup in person (if convenient) Naming rights to pup Guide-Dog product hamper Electronic postcard with photo introducing pup Updates every three months during the first year Four visits from your pup Updates every two months from trainer once in training Photo of dog in quality frame Invitation to a graduation Personalised plaque displayed on one of our kennels for the year Your company / logo listed on the sponsors page of our website

Nursery NewsJanuary 2015Happenings in our Puppy Block

Greetings from Puppy Block, which has been full of little furry bundles of fun, growing, exploring, playing and waiting to meet their new families.

Since the publication of the last Friend in Harness, a further seven litters of pups have been born in Puppy Block. All have now entered the next phase of their career preparation on the Puppy Raising Scheme with their volunteer Puppy Raising families.

July pupsEtna produced her fourth and final litter of pups for GDA in July 2014. Her solo, female pup was sired by Barlow, and was our second Artificial Insemination (AI) litter. Etna has been a pleasure to work with, and will be sorely missed by me and my colleagues as she enjoys her well-deserved retirement. Her pup, Cassidy is a 7/8 Labrador, 1/8 Golden Retriever cross.Cassidy – Joanne Jacobs (Puppy Raiser)

August pupsAugust was a busy month, greeting the arrival of our third and fourth AI litters of pups.

Liberty produced her fourth and final litter of pups for GDA. Her ¾ Labrador ¼ Golden Retriever pups were sired by Jared. Liberty also happens to be Etnas’ Mom, and like her daughter will be sadly missed by me and my colleagues as she is to be sterilised and begin her well-earned retirement shortly.Edwin – Kate Gruber (Puppy Raiser)Essex – Liz Falconer (Puppy Raiser)Ethan – Myra Botes (Puppy Raiser)Elbe – Laura Korhonen (Puppy Raiser)Eliza – Anya Herzog (Puppy Raiser)Erin – Darryl Humphries (Puppy Raiser)Eshe – Juliet Wood (Puppy Raiser)Ella – Jan de Waal (Puppy Raiser)

The ‘F’ litter, born to Fiesta and Jay are Labrador x Golden Retrievers. There are three boys and five girls in this litter.Flanagan – Lynne Kinsman (Puppy Raiser)Faron – Lorraine De Araujc (Puppy Raiser)Fenton – Colleen Sprong (Puppy Raiser)Friday – Suzanne Baker(Puppy Raiser)Finley – Bonnie Espie (Puppy Raiser)Fiji – Jenny Evans (Puppy Raiser)Faora – Shirley Kruis (Puppy Raiser)Faith – Marissa Meiring (Puppy Raiser)

October pupsGolden Retriever Honey produced her first litter of pups for GDA in October. Her 10 ‘H’ pups are our fifth AI litter and were sired by the flamboyantly named Labrador, Flamenco. Honey produced a perfectly gender balanced litter, with five boys and five girls.Haiku – Miranda Messina (Puppy Raiser)Havel – Isabella Stickeln (Puppy Raiser)Hubble – Jacqui Webb (Puppy Raiser)Hitch – Jhanet van der Merwe (Puppy Raiser)Howard – Adi Wessels (Puppy Raiser)Halo – Marcelle Waldeck (Puppy Raiser)Helene – Nicola Kostlin (Puppy Raiser)Hershey – Nerene Nienaber (Puppy Raiser)Hyka – Lesley Clarke (Puppy Raiser)Hella – Vee Schnippenkotter (Puppy Raiser)

Our sixth AI litter of Labrador pups were born in October to Honore and Barlow. They produced one male and two female pups, all yellow.Jasper – Debbie Adams (Puppy Raiser)Juliet – Robyn Tserpes (Puppy Raiser)Ivy – Bronwyn Fell (Puppy Raiser)

November pupsNovember proved to be another busy month with the births of our seventh and eighth litters of pups.7 ‘K’ Labrador pups were born to Jelly and Dell. This was Jellys’ fourth and final litter of pups for GDA, so she will be joining Etna and Liberty in retirement once she has been sterilised. Jelly has been such a good mom to her pups, and will be sadly missed by me and my colleagues.The K litter consists of six boys and just one girl.Kislev – Mary Ann Donohue (Puppy Raiser)Kenobi – Vanessa Koekemoer (Puppy Raiser)Kingsley – Theresa Verschueren (Puppy Raiser)Kipling – Vee Pinker (Puppy Raiser)Kennedy – Ania Finnemore (Puppy Raiser)Kuben – Annabelle Northangel (Puppy Raiser)Kendall – Catherine Gibson (Puppy Raiser)

7 ¾ Labrador ¼ Golden Retriever pups were born to Anuska and Parsons. This was Anuskas’ first litter for GDA, and she coped very well in her new role as mom. The ‘L’ pups have all gone out to their Puppy Raisers, but their names are not yet confirmed.

Puppy Block is empty now, for the first time in many months, and we have no pups in utero currently – but this situation is guaranteed not to last long, and we are bound to be very busy again in due course.

Caroline Human

Graduates

The future lies before you like a field of driven snow,Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.

Any graduation is a life changing experience for the recipient and this applies in no less a degree for a new Guide Dog owner.

It is a time for the graduate to apply the knowledge learnt in the last two weeks of intensive training. Time for the Guide, Service or Autism Support Dog to fulfil the role that he has been trained for! A relatively young animal, who has spent every day of his life preparing for this very moment. And a time for the two to unite, a devoted team who will trust each other implicitly and take care of each other.

This major life experience will definitely lead to lifestyle changes. Changes that include increased mobility, a new level of independence and a companion for life.

October 2014, JohannesburgTrainer – Joel Van Stavel

Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser

Andre Kleinhans Tank Megan JonesSindy Coetzer Gemma Rose & Basil KransdorffDeon Daniels Legend Nicola & Stefan Kostlin

November 2014, JohannesburgTrainer – Maxine Geddie

Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser

Michaela Mycroft Eden Bonnie Espie

November 2014, JohannesburgTrainer- Maxine Geddie

Graduate Autism Support Dog Puppy Raiser

Bella Nader Jola Karen Da SilveiraHannah Upton Genie Veryann & Bob Pinker

December 2014, JohannesburgTrainer – Maxine Geddie

Graduate Service Dog Puppy Raiser

Monique Forsyth Wendel Neels & Angel Conradie

December 2014, Cape TownTrainer – Cheryl Robertson

Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser

Wendy Brymer Lucy Sean StephensonAllen Swartz Choby Colleen Sprong

January 2015, JohannesburgTrainer – Percy Tlholoe

Graduate Guide Dog Puppy Raiser

Jessica Bezuidenhout Orla Glen Davidson &Caroline da Silva

Robin Giles Nixon Stuart SpenceNico Janse Van Rensburg Nala Denise BaisleyHannelie Minnie Rudy Mark & Louise Hamilton

Cycle ChallengeMomentum 947 Cycle ChallengeRiding for Guide-Dogs

2014 was the first year that S A Guide-Dogs entered a team into the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge, and as a result we managed to raise a fabulous R150,000.

An impressive 106 riders registered to ride for us and nearly everyone came to the Gladys Evans Training Centre for a pre-race drink and to collect their race pack. The event provided a great opportunity for everyone to meet other riders who offered companionship and support to those people who were riding for the first time or who were riding alone. The five-week old H litter puppies were on hand to say hello and everyone was invited for a tour of the kennels by our Executive Director, Gail Glover.

Perfect conditionsRace day was on Sunday 16 November and the weather was perfect; not too hot or windy and the rains of the previous days had finally finished. Some of our seeded riders started as early as 5:35am and most of the rest of the team began together at 9.41am. The Guide-Dogs staff also had an early start to the day to avoid all the traffic and to setup the post race hospitality area in time for the first riders to finish. The race organisers had done a fantastic job of creating this event for over 33,000 participants at a brand new venue. The new route officially included 10% more hills and certainly presented a challenge for the last 20km of the race.

Range of ridersOur team consisted of a huge range of ages and abilities. Our youngest rider was just 13 years old and our oldest was 70. There was a group of riders who trained together at the Cradle of Humankind and other riders who hadn’t been on a bike for 20 years and just ‘hoped for the best’ on the big day. One of our fastest riders completed in less than three hours and another rider collected the last medal of the whole event. We had four sets of tandem riders including two tandems with visually impaired riders and one racing tandem. We even had a rider who attracted attention by cycling with a large S A Guide-Dogs flag and who stopped to collect donations from supporters along the way.

Efforts rewardedMost of our riders arrived at the post hospitality area from mid-afternoon and were rewarded for their efforts with a much needed ice-cold towel and a refreshing drink. It was a great place to wait for fellow riders, to compare notes and to sit on something other than a very hard saddle. There were punctures, cramps, tears, cheers and one of our riders rode so hard that their shoes collapsed and had to be held together with duct tape.

Fantastic jobOur team did a fantastic job of raising sponsorship, many by way of their own pages created on our website. One rider encouraged nearly 100 of their friends and family to donate R94.70 each, another personally matched all the donations that other people had pledged, and two companies made significant donations to support their own sub-team of people who were taking part in the event. We also managed to create some publicity around our riders through articles in the local press and by having one of our riders interviewed in a massage tent by e.TV.

PrizesPrizes were available to the top two fundraisers, courtesy of African Pride Hotels, and we are pleased to announce that these have been awarded to Livia De Villiers and to Richard Wulfsohn. We hope they enjoy their weekends away at Mount Grace and Melrose Arch Hotels. Thank you to every one of our riders for their incredible support of S A Guide-Dogs.

We will certainly be looking to enter a team for the 2015 Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge and we will be looking for feedback from all our riders to make the event even more successful. Also, keep your eyes open for news about Team Guide-Dogs entering the Cape Town Cycle Tour (previously the Argus) in 2016...

Hilary Damant

Meet the TeamMonica Steen (Puppy Raising Supervisor)

How long have you been working for the Guide-Dogs Association?Eight years.

What do you do for the organisation?I am a Puppy Raising supervisor – I help look after and help the families that raise our puppies for the first year of their lives.

Do you have a Labrador or a Guide Dog of your own?No, but I am raising my first puppy for the organization – Ash a black ¼ Golden Retriever x ¾ Labrador who is seven months old.

What initially prompted you to get involved with the Guide-Dogs Association?I had always wanted to work with dogs and I love Labradors.

What would you say is the biggest challenge facing visually impaired people in South Africa?Access into areas and shops.

If you could implement a new law, what would it be?More severe punishment on people who mistreat animals.

What is your favourite part of the job?Seeing the wagging tails of the puppies and dogs.

What is your least favourite part?Cleaning up the mess from the puppies and working in the rain.

Do you have a favourite Guide Dog at the centre, and if so, what is his name?Bounty – I had him at home for a little while before he went to his Guide Dog owner.

What is your favourite food?Steers chips.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?Somewhere with a beach.

Are you married?Yes – for seven wonderful years.

Do you have children?No.

What is your favourite Guide-Dogs Association event that is held during the year?I don’t have a favourite – but I enjoy the family fun day and carols by candle light.

If you could change something about the world, what would it be?I would like the world to get along, no wars, no fighting and everyone acting everyday like we all do at Christmas time.

Do you have a role model? If so, who is it?My Mom and Dad, I love the strength they show.

What music do you enjoy listening to?Anything with a catchy tune.

Do you have a favourite movie?No really, but I enjoy light hearted movies and comedies.

Do you have a favourite colleague who you work with?I love them all the same.

What is your favourite day of the year and why?My birthday.

StorylineDare to Dream“The sky is not the limit, especially if you are reaching for the stars”

In life we face many obstacles and challenges. The secret to success is using those obstacles as stepping-stones towards the realization of your dreams.

Due to premature birth my eyes are not fully developed and as a result I have less than 3% sight left. I am a very active, spontaneous person so loosing my sight was truly traumatic. It was only after qualifying with my first Guide Dog, Sandy, that I was able to really live again and even dare to dream again.

Little miracleKelsey is my third little miracle. A year ago I returned from London to South Africa after eight years of studying and working in the UK. At first returning was a challenge but thanks to Kelsey it is now an adventure. She allows me to live out the spontaneous, adventurous side of my personality. According to my friends and family we are very well matched as she too is an excellent worker but has an undeniable naughty streak.

I work as an events co-ordinator at The Success Academy and I am currently studying for my Masters in Leadership and Management. In my free time I play blind cricket at Pretoria Blind Cricket Club. During 2014 I was selected to play in the first ever all-female international blind cricket tournament held in Nepal. This has inspired me to develop female blind cricket in South Africa.

Gaining confidenceThe confidence I gained thanks to Kelsey gives me the determination and courage to turn my dreams into reality. She is so much more than just a Guide Dog. She is the wind beneath my wings.

To all the staff, volunteers, Puppy Raisers and supporters of Guide-Dogs South Africa, I raise a glass to you. You certainly are not just in the business of providing Service Dogs to the disabled but also in the business of creating life changing miracles. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Theresa Robberts

Puppy RaiserLiving with DogsPlenty of puppies

Many years ago I had a visually impaired neighbor who told me a little about how her Guide Dogs had been raised and trained. I was very keen to get involved but unfortunately worked full time and therefore couldn’t be a Puppy Raiser. I promised myself that should I ever be given the opportunity to do this wonderful work that I would grab it with both hands.

Big commitmentSo, when I started working from home in 2010, I asked my husband if he would be interested in a new kind of adventure. Neither of us had had Labrador or Golden Retriever pups before, and whilst we knew it was going to be a big commitment, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Our house has been noisy and dog-filled ever since!

When this process began, we had two of our own dogs and five cats. We now have four of our own dogs and three cats. We have raised two Guide Dogs from puppies, we’ve had three weekend boarders, two pups come to stay briefly whilst their mommies were on holiday and currently have an almost 10-month-old Guide Dog puppy. We’ve seldom been without a puppy for very long!

Learning mannersOur weekend boarders are dogs donated to GDA at about a year old and so far all three have been male yellow Labradors! They’re typically outside dogs who may not be fully housetrained yet. Some are protective of their food or toys, some have never seen cats, some are dustbin divers, some are counter cruisers and some are not mad about riding in the car. We fetch them on a Friday afternoon and take them back on Monday morning, and spending weekends with us they learn how to live indoors and are taught what the boundaries are, things they would have learned had they been puppies-in-training.

The pupsOur first puppy, Volt, came to live with us in December 2011. He was a yellow Labrador - super smart, a fast walker, highly intuitive and very strong. He qualified as a Guide Dog on 6 April 2013 and he’s working in the Cape Province. Seeing him graduate was an incredible day and we were so proud.

When Volt was about seven months old, we adopted a yellow Labrador puppy born at GDA who wouldn’t be going into the Puppy Raising scheme due to a congenital eye disorder. Volt was an absolute superstar in helping us train our mostly blind puppy, who we named Riddick. He’s a real mommy’s boy!

In March 2013, Kenzo, a Guide Dog in training, started coming to us on weekends. He has a huge smile and loves nothing more than sleeping on someone’s foot! He qualified as a Guide Dog in September 2013 and currently works the Cape Province.

Just before Kenzo left, we collected our second Guide Dog puppy, Lennox – a black Labrador with a tail that wags non-stop and who loves to bring you things! Born 9 April 2013 to mom Jelly and dad Manny, he started his new life with us on 31 May 2013. It was a privilege to be invited to attend his graduation and he now works in Gauteng as a qualified Guide Dog.

While we had Lennox, we started fetching Rhody as a weekend boarder. Affectionate and clever, he likes nothing more than being where his people are. In January 2014 he qualified as a Service Dog in KZN!

In December 2013 we adopted a copper coloured, six-month-old Labrador-cross puppy from Lab Rescue and named her Penny. She had been mistreated and needed a lot of training and work. As we wanted her to be properly settled before we took on another puppy, there was a small hiatus of Guide Dog pups in our house. We have since come to the conclusion that there may not be a lot of Labrador in her after all, but she still has that fabulous nature and gets on well with all puppies and visiting dogs.

We started collecting Wendel for weekends in June 2014. He was in training as a Service Dog. He has a face that everyone falls in love with and he’s so very clever! He needed housetraining and he was a little too protective of his food and toys, but he learnt very quickly indeed. In December 2014 he started working as a Service Dog in the Eastern Cape.

Towards the end of Wendel’s time with us, puppy-in-training Patrick came to live with us. Almost nine months old, his original Puppy Raising mom had sadly been unable to complete his puppy year. He’s a big black Lab, donated at seven weeks old. Thankfully his first mommy had already covered the puppy training bases so we just had to pick up where she had left off. He should start his training early this year, and then we’ll probably take a new puppy a few months later so we can have a bit of a break.

Knowing our history though, there may not be much of a break at all…

Neels and Angel Conradie

Breed FeatureColourful Court JestersThe Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniuel, who possesses the same flamboyant and jaunty air as the English kin he was named after, can trace his history back to the small Toy Spaniels who feature in many 16 th, 17th and 18th century paintings.

Being classed as a small breed, the adaptable Cavalier is quite happy living in an apartment (with regular exercise), being the devoted companion to one person. On the other hand, they are equally at home living in larger surroundings, playing with children, and generally taking part in family life.

Good careWhatever their colour, Cavaliers’ coats are silky and very slightly wavy. In order to keep their crowning glory in tip top condition, it is a good idea to provide regular grooming. This should not be too much of a chore and in any case, daily grooming is an ideal time to bond with your pet and gives you the opportunity to check for any lumps and bumps that shouldn’t be there.

Laughing Cavalier!A true courtly cavalier, these gentle-mannered little dogs were described by a couple of authorities on the breed as one of the nicest, best-mannered breeds on the Toy register, saying: “One almost expects him to sweep off his finely plumed hat and give one a deep, courtly bow!” As a devoted family companion the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has few peers.

Fact fileGroup: Toy – FCI Group 9Place of origin: United KingdomOriginal function: CompanionAvailability: Seek a reputable breederAverage lifespan: 10 – 12 yearsWeight: 5.4 – 8kgIs the breed a natural watchdog? NoAttitude to strangers: FriendlyCoat type: Long and silky, slight wave permissible. Plenty of featheringColours: Black and tan, ruby, Blenheim and tricolourDoes coat mat or tangle? If neglectedSpecial trimming for show rim: NoCoat maintenance: Daily brushIs professional grooming needed? May if neglectedExercise: Regular walks or play sessions in a fenced gardenAdult quantities for dry food: From approximately 140g per day depending on brandEase of training: GoodGood family dog? YesHealth concerns: Heart problems (often caused by obesity), dry eye, luxating patella, syringomyeliaCharacter: Gay, fearless and friendly

Tracy Cox

Q & ADogs –Weight LossHandling obesity

Q: My dog is very fat and she can’t seem to lose weight even though she gets plenty of exercise. How can we help her to lose weight?

A: Obesity is the single biggest problem facing our pets. More than 40% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese. Not only is this life-threatening, but it may shorten the lifespan of your pet by up to 25%. It is also responsible for a number of secondary complications such as osteoarthritis, heatstroke and diabetes mellitus (to name but a few).

I am often told by owners that as hard as they try, they cannot get their pet to lose those few extra kilos. It is important to understand why your pet is overweight before the right solutions can be sought.

In the majority of cases, however, your pet may just be taking in more energy than he can expend. If this is the case, the simplest solution is to feed your pet less, and if possible more frequently throughout the day (to stabilize his blood sugar levels). Other considerations:

1. Has your dog been sterilized? This can lower their metabolic rate by up to 30%. Consider feeding a diet with lower fat levels specifically formulated for sterilised pets or reduce your normal feeding levels by 30%,

2. How old is your pet? Senior pets tend to be less active, or suffer from arthritis or painful, stiff joints. As a result, they tend to spend more time ‘on the couch’. Speak to your vet about a diet containing antioxidants, adjusted omega levels, joint support and lowered fat levels.

3. Is your dog genetically predisposed to obesity? Certain breeds may be predisposed to weight gain. The trusty Labrador always comes to mind first. Once these breeds become adults, a lower fat diet is a good preventative measure.

4. Secret feeders: Ensure that your whole family is on board when putting Fluffy on a diet. If granny insists on treating, consider a ‘legal treat’ that is lower in fat.

Exercise in the form of walking, swimming or chasing a favourite toy will assist in weight loss. Remember to start out slowly. If all else fails, it may be time to see your vet. Certain endocrine diseases may interfere with weight loss and the vet will be able to guide you does sound like marking. Marking is natural behavior for male dogs and some female dogs do it as well. If marking in the house is a new behavior that he hasn’t shown before, you may want to take him for a health check at your vet to make sure there isn’t anything medically wrong. If you’ve had a recent change in your home, such as adopting a new pet, this may also bring on this behavior, or it may simply be that he is starting to mark now that he is maturing. If he hasn’t yet been neutered you may find that this will help, although if he is in the habit of marking you will also need to train him out of the behavior.

Shana Ashpole BSc (Hons) Animal Science

COM ReportCollege of Orientation and MobilityLearning to help Many of us adore animals, and in particular those cute Guide Dog puppies, but remember there are people who are visually impaired who are afraid of dogs: they have never had them in their home, they have not grown up in an environment where there were dogs, and they don’t know anything about how to care for a dog.

Similarly, many people with a visual impairment may live in an environment where keeping a Guide Dog would be impractical - like living in a rural village, far from veterinary facilities, or in accommodation that is very small and shared, with no contained yard. In these circumstances it would be extremely difficult to adequately feed and give the necessary day-to-day care to a Guide Dog.

Providing a lifelineFor these people, the qualified Orientation & Mobility Practitioners who graduate from the College of Orientation & Mobility are a lifeline. These Practitioners assist the visually impaired with safe and independent mobility, and the essential skills of daily living, like cleaning and cooking.

Six young people have just embarked on a two-year, SETA-accredited diploma course with the purpose of becoming qualified Orientation & Mobility Practitioners. Under the experienced eyes and in the capable hands of Debbie Speller and Moira Higgerty (head and deputy head of the College of Orientation & Mobility respectively), and their dedicated team of facilitators, these learners will spend the next two years acquiring all of the expertise required to teach the visually impaired the Skills of Daily Living (SDL) and how to use the long cane, instead of a Guide Dog, to access independence.

Let’s find out a little more about these six learners.

Why do they want to become O&M Practitioners?Isaac says he wants to help people in his community, particularly those who are visually impaired. He says, “I am actually developing a love for this course! At first, I didn't know anything about Orientation and Mobility. After a few visits to schools for the blind, where I saw children who are blind and deaf-blind, I was touched. It made me think of those who are at home with no help from anyone, and I then realised that it is very important for me to do this course and to be found competent, so that I can help them with all of my heart.”

Meggie adds, “Believing in the saying ‘Your uniqueness is your strength’, I find the course unique and a platform to spread my wings. Many people have played a vital role in my upbringing and that has motivated me to make a change in the lives of others - thus my decision to dedicate my life to people who are blind and visually impaired.

Florence wants to be an O&M Practitioner because she wants to be able to help people with different disabilities, especially individuals who are visually impaired. She wants to assist them to become independent and safe travellers.

"When I found out that there was a course called Orientation & Mobility, I jumped at the chance of doing it!” says Sindisiwe. “I have always wanted to do something different and that is why I want to be an O&M Practitioner. I want to do something to help others in some way.”

Phumzile wants to promote independence for those who are blind and partially-sighted and Godfrey says, “To be able to offer correct information, lessons and training to people with visual impairment,” is his reason for wanting to be an O&M Practitioner. “We have a shortage of O&M Practitioners, while we have thousands of people who need this information.”

What are they currently learning?The students are currently learning how to act as sighted guides, how to collect and record client information, about the human senses (in particular, the eye) and the skills of daily living. They are also creating a food garden and learning how to manage gardening without sight.

Meggie says that in the few months that she has been on the course, she has learnt a lot, including guiding people, pouring water under blindfold, problem-solving skills, using her senses (excluding the sense of sight), identifying where you are in an environment, and a whole lot more (like walking under blindfold with a Guide Dog). The most important learning for her, however, is that she has learnt to give without expecting anything in return, and to be grateful.

Florence echoes this and is particularly interested in the collecting and recording of information, which will be crucial when the learners start working in the field.

Sindisiwe has particularly enjoyed the food garden segment of the course, and Phumzile says that she is learning how to apply the correct techniques in terms of sighted guide skills. “We are learning very interesting and challenging things, like how to facilitate learning in a controlled environment,” says Godfrey.

What are their thoughts on the course?Isaac says that he thinks the course has a lot of work, which needs to be dealt with immediately if he is to keep up and not fall behind!

According to Meggie, the course is a very good opportunity for those who are determined to make a change. Not only does it grow a scarce skill, it also touches lives. It is presented by very enthusiastic individuals who strive to bring out the best in the learners through their easy-to-understand study material and dedication.

Florence is adjusting, because the course is not what she anticipated. ”It’s quite a lot of work, and needs our focus, especially when we have to apply the theory learnt in lessons to practical situations.”

“The course so far has been eye-opening, we are learning new things and it is challenging, because I have never done anything like this before. However, I am keen to learn and what we are being taught is very interesting,” says Sindisiwe.

Phumzile is fascinated by learning how to use senses other than sight, and how to encourage those who are partially sighted to use their remaining vision. “The course is good so far. I am adapting and am slowly but surely getting there.”

“Everything is good and I am enjoying all of my classes. I do understand the material and I’m coping, so that’s a good thing,” says Godfrey.

What has been their personal experience of working under blindfold?When under blindfold, Isaac felt lost and helpless. Meggie says that she vividly remembers the first time she was put under blindfold and left in an empty space - it felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff. “Now, a blindfold is more of a personality trait, because I carry it everywhere I go. I no longer fear doing activities under blindfold. It makes me use all of my senses, which I wouldn't use under normal circumstances. It’s an adventure and an exciting experience in that it tends to give you the different predicaments that people who are blind and visually impaired are faced with on a daily basis.”

Florence says that she thought she knew what it would be like, but that in honesty, she knew nothing. “Now I really know what it feels like to be blind. After one of the classes, I was emotional, knowing how a person with visual impairment feels, especially if they have just been diagnosed. What made it worse was that I thought of my mom, who was born blind, and who raised me to be the woman I am today! I felt sad and sorry for her, but I commend her because she has managed and she is coping without her vision: she is so special! I am going to get this diploma to make her proud!”

“My experience of being under blindfold was very traumatic, but fun at the same time, because I had a sighted guide with me, so my trauma slowly decreased and I got used to it. When I took the blindfold off, the other learners told me how I was behaving, and we could laugh about it,” says Sindisiwe.

Phumzile laughs! “Being under blindfold is like living on another planet! Honestly, it is scary! But if you have a sighted guide, it is better, because you put your trust in him or her. However, even with a sighted guide next to you, if you are on stairs or an escalator, it is very scary and you are afraid of falling!”

Godfrey has this to say: “I must say, it’s not nice! I didn’t feel safe, and not being able to see the people around me was frustrating. Trying to talk to the lecturer while trying to spot where she was made things worse. I couldn’t focus. To be honest, it was not a good experience. I was without my sight for one day, and it made me think of how people with visual impairment feel, because it’s a condition that they have to live with. It made me see the need for O&M Practitioners.”

College head, Debbie Speller, says, “Our six learners have not yet come up for air as the course is busy, both with theoretical and practical components. I am looking forward to seeing their personal growth and awareness develop as the course continues. I know that we have a department which can offer a very professional training programme and a support structure which will assist those learners through those inevitable tricky times.”

Rosemary Alexander

Collar & Tie ClubJoin this exclusive club1200 Members

Stand a chance to win prizes every monthClosing date: 30 June 2015Membership: 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015

For R600 a year or R50 a month secure your place in this club1st Prize: R10 0002nd Prize: 5 0003rd Prize: 1 000Bumper Prize draws in June and December: R25 000

Members who join after January will be eligible for additional entries to compensate for any draws missed.

In MemoryThe story of KelloggA lifetime of joy The story of Kellogg started in June 1998. My husband Gidon and I had been living in Chicago where Gidon had just finished his MBA at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. We returned to South Africa and the little white puppy was our homecoming present to ourselves. He was our ‘firstborn’.

We were so excited about this new adventure in our lives. So when I took Kellogg for his first vaccinations and the vet warned me that a Labrador’s lifespan was about 8 years, I couldn’t believe his negativity!

Expanding familyAfter Kellogg came four human babies over a period of six years. Sharoni, Elan, Zaza and Lital. Kellogg was the first one to meet each new addition to our family, giving each baby a welcome home lick at the front door!

Kellogg was the most intuitive, loving, caring companion and an incredible runner. He finished three half marathons alongside Gidon, and I would be hard-pressed to say who enjoyed them more!

Kellogg lived until 16 (double the vet’s prediction)! He passed the rainbow bridge on 11 February 2014 at 7:10. We were privileged that he was euthanised in our garden with the birds chirping and the sun shining.

Positive stepI wanted to do something positive in Kellogg’s memory, and what better than to sponsor a Guide Dog?

The lucky dog was Elliot. A yellow male, 7/8 Labrador and 1/8 Golden Retriever. Elliott was born in August 2012 and was nearing his graduation at the time of Kellogg’s passing. He was one of nine pups in a litter to mom Etna (her third for Guide-Dogs) and Dad Pele. He was raised by Puppy Raiser Veronica Schnippenkotter, trained by Perci Tlholoe and became Guide Dog that August. He was chosen to continue being the intuitive, loving, caring companion that Kellogg was to us.

We wish Elliot all the best with his future.

The Novicks

Kwa-Zulu Natal ReportMarketing NewsKwa-Zulu Natal

Golf DayThe end of August last year saw the Golf day happen and I’m pleased to report it was a great success. The weather was mostly kind, the golfers dug deep into their pockets and the final result was enough to sponsor two Guide Dogs! Thank you to the sponsors of the prizes, the golfers and my friends and family who were once again dragged in to help.

River Walk Fun DayGuide-Dogs joined up with the Amanzimtoti SPCA and the Umbogintwini Dog Training Club for a River Walk Fun Day. This proved to be very popular and great fun was had by all. Unfortunately the weather didn’t play ball and the spring rains arrived to dampen everything. We have decided to repeat the event next year, but we will do it in July or thereabouts when hopefully it won’t rain.

Street CollectionDecember saw the Street Collection take place. This year we again battled with centres not granting permission, and due to it being late in the year a lot of collectors were unavailable. We plan to move the event back to July or August in 2015 to try and avoid the challenges. Having said that it still went well and we raised R17,950. Thanks to all of you who turned up to hold a can and make the day happen.

Hudson photo raffleThe wonderful photograph of Hudson that we raffled, taken by PMB photographer Doug Morton, was won by Ginnie Thomas of Hillcrest. Thanks so much Doug for your donation.

St John’s DSG PrimaryA special mention must be made of the St Johns DSG Primary School in Pietermaritzburg who had a coin collection after a talk by Guide Dog Owner Robin Giles. They managed to raise R3,463 in coins. Robin actually weighed all the bottles and they totalled over 70kg. The fun part was banking over R1,000 in 5c and 10c pieces!!

Out and aboutThis year will again see us at Cars in the Park and the Royal Show in May/June and the Garden Show in September, so please pop in and buy a few car raffle tickets. Join us for the River Walk in July or August and hopefully the Photographers meet Dogs event will take place this year. If you are having an event where we could possibly have a stall or table please give us a call. We would love to be there and these are always a great way for us to be visible and accessible. Also don’t forget we are going to sell books as well so please empty out your shelves and give us a call.

Thank youAll successes are because of people, companies, trusts, schools and clubs, groups and institutes who donate and sponsor dogs and donate stalls at events. Your ongoing support is truly appreciated.

I must also make a special mention of the two Guide Dog owners, Jenny Puffett and Robin Giles, who put in hours and hours for S A Guide-Dogs. Robin is due for a replacement Guide Dog so we wish him well. I am sure we will still see Hudson at the shows though, as his fans would be devastated if he wasn’t there.

Di Turner

Cape Town ReportMarketing NewsCape Town

Wow! Are we really in 2015 already? The past year has just flown by, but what a great year it has been for the Cape Town office! We have gained so much support and made so many friends along the way. We are finally meeting our aim of making sure everyone knows that we are in Cape Town and of course it would not be possible without our supporters and events.

Môreson We would like to wish Richard Friedman of Môreson a very happy 60 th birthday, which he celebrated in October last year. Thank you to Môreson and the Friedman Family for your ongoing loyal support!

Sotheby’s Golf Day Thank you to Sotheby’s Realty for hosting a golf day in aid of GDA at Rondebosch Golf Club on 16 October. A special word of gratitude to Jill Lloyd for your dedication and passion towards our cause – we are very lucky to have such a great supporter.

World Animal DayThis was by far the busiest day in our calendar! We managed three events in one day with huge success. We attended the World Animal Day March organised by Animals Matter – Thank you Nikki for inviting us to be a part of such an important movement.

We were also very privileged to be invited to open the show at the Dancers Love Dogs performance at the Artscape. It was the proudest moment for the Cape Town staff to see our Puppy Raisers, mobility instructors and of course our beautiful, life changing dogs on stage. Thank you Brigitte Reeve-Taylor for the highlight in our year.

And then Hobby X… wow, we were warned that this was going to be the busiest, most successful expo for us and boy was it just that. It was truly an amazing expo with hordes of visitors who adored our dogs. We ran out of raffle tickets, called for more staff and we honestly could not have being luckier. Thank you Gloria and all at Hobby X for your loyal support.

Cape Furniture and Appliance Sports Day TrustWe were pleasantly surprised when we received a phone call from Stefan Heil, Cape Furniture and Appliance Sports Day Secretary, to inform us that they would be sponsoring 10 Guide Dogs. The CFA Trust hosted their 16 th annual sports day in aid of raising funds for charity organisations in Cape Town. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting us every year.

Cape of Good Hope Rotary Dragon Boat RaceWe ended the year on a great note when our competitive side came out at the Cape of Good Hope Rotary Dragon Boat Race at the V&A Waterfront on 13 December.

GDA was selected as a beneficiary of the event and we were invited to paddle in Newlands’ Rotary team. The sport is definitely competitive and addictive – at the end, Cheryl and I were strategising about who we could chuck off of our boat to make it faster… luckily we came to our senses. We are happy that we ranked 15 th out of 27 teams.

We enjoyed it so much that we have decided to host our own Dragon Boat Regatta on 12 December at the V&A Waterfront. Keep a look out for the details.

SchoolsWe cannot say ‘thank you’ enough for the support from all the schools in the Western Cape who have generously donated in money and time over the past year. There are too many schools to name but we feel blessed to have visited with our Guide Dogs and their owners.

A special ‘thank you’ to Elkanah House and Sweet Valley Primary School for their ongoing support and generous contribution to our cause.

Upcoming Expo’s:Please look out for us in the coming months at the following expos:

Elkanah House School Yard Market 28 March Two Oceans Marathon Expo 1 – 3 April Cavendish Charity Book Sale 27 – 30 August Boat Show 9 – 11 October

Thank youThe most important part of our report is the many Thank Yous to those that have supported our association.

Thank you to the schools, service clubs, social clubs and individuals for donations and sponsorships of Guide Dogs and puppies.

Thank you to all the Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, social and pensioners clubs who have continued their generous donations and sponsorships of Guide Dogs and puppies. Your support is truly valued.

A massive thank you to June Colussi, the Van Biljon family and each of our amazing Puppy Raisers who we hold so dear to us for everything that you do and all your hard work and dedication into raising such fine dogs.

Together we will continue to do the amazing work and change people’s lives. We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful organisation!

From Teagan Schwerin

Ways to DonatePayroll-Giving Programme and Debit OrdersYour chance to help

All organisations require a sustainable and reliable income stream. That’s why we at the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA) are extremely grateful when donors make the commitment to a monthly donation paid by debit order directly from their bank account.

By becoming a regular debit order donor you give us the peace of mind of knowing when we will receive funds with complete certainty. By being able to budget effectively and plan our cash flow and expenditure, we can commit to the training needs of our clients and their Guide, Service or Autism Support Dogs.

Debit ordersOne of our donors has been a regular monthly donor for the last four years. She has a monthly debit order of just R20 which is all she can afford. This may seem almost insignificant when one considers the enormous costs involved in breeding, raising and training these highly specialised dogs, but as the saying goes, ‘every penny counts.’ Our donor wanted to make a difference and committed to a monthly debit order, giving her the peace of mind of knowing that an organisation that she believed in, would receive a regular monthly income. She doesn’t have to remember to process a monthly deposit and is able to budget her own monthly expenses easily.

Even a small contribution, over a one-year period, could equate to a collar, disc and leather lead for one of our dogs. This relatively small amount will not necessarily be too arduous on the pocket but it certainly makes the world of difference and definitely is most appreciated.

Children can learn the importance of giving by donating a portion of their pocket money each month. Take Caleb and Taine Frost, for example, who have sponsored a kennel for a year. These boys have committed to re-paying Mom a portion of their pocket money each month, until such time as their generous dotation of R5,000 has been settled.

If you require information about becoming a debit order donor, please contact Sanette Harmse: SanetteH@guidedog.org.za / 011 705 3512

Payroll-giving programmeAnother way that you can contribute on a regular basis is in the form of a payroll-giving progamme. Corporates can join the WE CARE movement as a partner and set up payroll-giving to donate towards GDA on a monthly basis. This is done via a small salary sacrifice from as little as R10 per month.

The Hollard Insurance Group is one company that runs just such a Programme. Their Corporate Social Investment Programme (CSI) gives ‘Hollardites’ a range of opportunities to volunteer in a variety of ways, including a payroll-giving programme in which Hollard Insurance Group match Rand for Rand any amount donated by their staff .

“Harnessing the energy and caring spirit of our staff is an integral success factor of our Corporate Social Investment Programme,” they say.

Each year Hollard host a CSI Market Day for the 19 NPOs supported via their payroll-giving programme. As one of these 19, GDA were privileged to be invited, and were given the opportunity to interact with staff, create awareness and support for what we do and to sell our promotional products. It was also a fantastic opportunity to show off some of our Guide/Service Dogs in training.

Should you wish to know more about the payroll-giving programme or if you would like us to approach your company on your behalf about joining the WE CARE movement, please contact Alson Maphosa in our marketing department – AlsonM@guidedog.org.za / 011 705 3512

New IdeasThe Life-Saving Microchip‘Identity books’ for pets

The Guide-Dogs community is all too aware of the love, effort and hours of dedicated patience that go into the training of each four-legged companion who graduates annually from the South African Guide-Dogs Association in Paulshof.

What is probably not as well known is that each graduate carries an Identipet microchip, which is the animal equivalent of our human ID book, except that this chip, being implanted under the dog’s skin can never get lost and provides an unalterable data link to that animal’s history and ownership.

Microchips do not only apply to GDA animals, as many domestic pets, horses, wild animals and exotics, have this life-saving chip too.

Effective and secureMicrochipping is the only effective and secure method of permanently identifying your pet, which may in fact save its life. The tiny, rice-grain size Identipet microchip is injected, just like any veterinary inoculation, under the loose skin of the neck. It provides your pet with instant identification, and a permanent, unalterable electronic ‘identity book’ for life. The unique microchip number, registered on the Identipet National Animal Database, links the pet and owner information to assist in the recovery of lost, strayed or stolen animals. Once injected under the skin, the Identipet microchip is prevented from moving from the site by the patented Identipet BioBond anti-migration cap.

Obvious advantagesSadly in South Africa, as thousands of dogs go missing annually, it is only the lucky microchipped ones who have the added advantage of being reunited with their owners.When microchipping was introduced into South Africa in 1989 by Identipet, the National Council of SPCAs and the animal welfare coalition recognised the obvious advantages of re-homing lost, stolen and strayed animals, and embraced this vital technology. Twenty-six years later, Identipet is still the only microchipping product that is used and endorsed by the National Council of SPCAs.

To enable the animal welfare re-homing network to function efficiently, Identipet has supplied, free of charge, for the past 26 years, microchip readers and data support to 142 welfare organisations/branches in southern Africa, and is the ONLY microchipping company that does this. Without this support, the re-homing network for lost, stolen and strayed animals would collapse totally within months.

GDA donorIdentipet has also proudly donated all the microchips, scanners and database support that the GDA animals have needed since 1997, a proud partnership of 18 years.

Identipet’s patented flagship, the BioThermo microchip, provides the added advantage of monitoring the pet’s temperature, accurate to 0.1◦C, useful in daily health and the treatment of diseases.

The anti-migrating microchips (and patented readers) for this remarkable technology supplied solely by this iconic company, Identipet, may in fact save your pet’s life.

Is your pet Identipet protected?

Dr Bruce Finnemore, DirectorIdentipet (Pty) Ltd