Rugby supporters at Kingsholm Stadium witnessed an unforgettable spectacle recently when future Guide Dogs formed a special guard of honour for Gloucester Hartpury players.
Puppies Pitchside for Player Welcome
The young dogs, all undergoing training to become life-changing Guide Dogs, visited the stadium as part of their essential socialisation programme. The puppies lined up pitchside to cheer the Gloucester Hartpury squad as they ran onto the field to face Sale Sharks.
This unique occasion celebrated the transformative work of Guide Dogs while raising awareness about the charity's ongoing requirement for more volunteers. Among the players receiving this furry welcome was Gloucester Hartpury co-captain Zoe Stratford, who also captains England's Women's Rugby team.
The Red Roses leader later shared a tender moment with Bailey, an 18-month-old Labrador in training. Stratford expressed her enthusiasm for supporting the cause, stating: "It's an absolute pleasure to support Guide Dogs at this Saturday's match. The work they do changes lives, helping people build confidence, independence, and connection through their amazing dogs."
Volunteers: The Backbone of Guide Dogs
The prospective guide dogs attended alongside their volunteer puppy raisers from throughout Gloucestershire. Volunteers represent the fundamental support system for Guide Dogs' operations, with roles spanning from fundraising and puppy-raising to behind-the-scenes assistance.
Sheila Ross, an experienced puppy raising volunteer from Bristol, attended the match with nine-month-old Owain. She emphasised: "Volunteers are the foundation of what Guide Dogs do. Breeding stock holders and puppy raisers are at the very start of the journey. Without us, the rest of the chain - training and placing the dogs with visually impaired people - wouldn't happen."
She described the role as demanding time, dedication, and patience but noted the rewards prove immensely satisfying.
Socialisation in Action
The stadium visit provided invaluable socialisation training for the young dogs, exposing them to large crowds and loud noises. Before commencing formal training, each puppy spends their formative years with volunteer puppy raisers, learning basic cues and developing confidence.
Learning to maintain calm and focus in unpredictable environments constitutes a crucial component of guide dog training. Experiences like the Kingsholm visit prove essential for their development from puppyhood to working partnerships.
Genevieve Shore, executive chair of PWR, commented: "It's fantastic to welcome Guide Dogs to a PWR fixture this weekend. Their work has a life-changing impact on hundreds of thousands of people living with a vision impairment and seeing the puppies-in-training take their first steps in such a busy matchday environment is really special."
The breeding, raising and training of each guide dog costs approximately £77,000, with the charity relying almost completely on public donations and volunteer support to continue its vital work.
Those interested in volunteering opportunities or wishing to donate can find further information at guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering.
