‘To know that you are not alone’
BRYANSTON – Graduates from the Gladys Evans Training Centre receive their certificates and harnesses.
A graduation was held on 9 April at the Gladys Evans Training Centre, where six guide-dog partnerships completed their training and were presented with certificates.
Several supporters, service clubs, volunteers, and friends of the qualifying guide-dog owners attended the special ceremony. A programme to introduce the services offered by the Guide-Dogs Association South Africa (GDA) was led by executive director Gail Glover. This included talks on puppy raising, guide-dog training, service-dog training, autism support dog training and also orientation and mobility training that is offered by the college.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to several service clubs, corporates and individuals to acknowledge their support. The association’s chairman, Dave Parker presented each guide-dog owner with their harness to signify that they have graduated. Bob Martin, the association’s dog food sponsor, also presented each guide-dog owner with a bag of dog food for their qualifying guide dog.
Founder Gladys Evans started the association for the blind in 1953. Evans, who had failing eyesight herself, brought the first guide dog, Sheena, onto the African continent after training in the UK.
Head of public relations at the association, Pieter van Niekerk said, “The breeding lines for guide dogs are carefully selected to produce the best possible dogs. Each puppy’s first year is spent in the family home of a volunteer puppy raiser, where the pup is thoroughly socialised before it returns to the association at 12 months for six months of advanced training.”
One qualified graduate, Jaco Engelbrecht said, “To lose your eyesight is one of the most difficult experiences one can go through. It is a very scary time, however, with the help of GDA and my guide dog, Wesley, it makes things a little easier. To know that you are not alone is very comforting.”
Van Niekerk concluded, “Owning a guide dog is a life-changing experience for someone with visual impairment. It is an all-inclusive package of independence, mobility, and companionship – a priceless gift.”
