Ordinary community members do extraordinary things: Dogs do good work

PAULSHOF – The South African Guide Dogs Association shares a little bit about what they hope to achieve in 2020, and how you can help.

February 1, 2020

Content Provided 2 minutes read

Willemien Kleijn and Michelle Ntlaka of the College of Orientation and Mobility demonstrate how they train visually impaired people to use a cane. The college forms part of the GDA and trains visually impaired people to navigate and live in the world without a guide dog. Photo: Robyn Kirk

The South African Guide-Dogs Association (GDA) wants to support visually impaired people, the disabled and children with autism by providing them with working dogs who can give them a better life. But as a non-profit organisation, they need help from the public to do so.

If anyone understands what it is like to ‘feel the economic crunch’, it is a non-profit organisation trying to continue with the work they do during tough financial times. Invariably, the number of donations decrease as people try to make ends meet.

Head of marketing for the organisation Nadia Sands said, “The GDA has a sound business model which carefully manages all donations and ensures that we can continue to breed and train more dogs and to qualify more orientation and mobility practitioners. Our funds are, however, limited and we continuously need every bit of support that we can get.

Kelly Watts (the kennel manager for the GDA) and Monica Steen (a puppy raising supervisor) smile with Summer the dog. *Photo: Robyn Kirk*

“As the only accredited organisation in South Africa that provide the services that we do, we need all the help we can get. We enjoy a challenge and have enormous financial targets that we set for ourselves each year. Reaching these is only possible with your support.”

Duncan Douglas is one of the volunteers who walk dogs for the South African Guide-Dogs Association. *Photo: Robyn Kirk*

Although financial donations are always welcomed by the organisation, Sands explained that it is not the only way to help. People who wish to support the association can do so by attending events it puts on, they can volunteer their time to walk the dogs who stay in kennels during training, volunteer at the on-site bookstore, or even host their own fundraisers to help raise money. Corporates are also welcome to donate goods or services or else, those with the time can volunteer to raise a puppy that will one day become a working dog.

Dogs trained by the GDA will become guide dogs for the visually impaired, or else support dogs for people with disabilities or children with autism. *Photo: Robyn Kirk*

“Every little bit helps,” she added. “It was hard last year, but we’re not discouraged and have set high targets for 2020 – because there are so many people who still need our help.”

The organisation’s main goals for 2020 are:

• To breed and train more dogs to become working dogs

• To employ and retain highly qualified and experienced instructors to train our working dogs

• To recruit and train more orientation and mobility practitioners

• To employ more qualified practitioners

• To equip each visually impaired client with assistive devices and training on how to use it effectively

• To increase our geographical footprint in order to reach more people

There are a number of ways in which you can make a difference:

• Donate towards a working dog sponsorship and receive various benefits on each level

• Donate R10 for a brick to help build a bigger and better ‘puppy block’

• Sponsor an orientation and mobility student to become a qualified practitioner

• Donate towards training sessions and assistive devices for visually impaired clients

• Sign up for a monthly debit order.

This enables them to do their financial planning on a monthly basis and helps to maintain their overall operations (contact Sanette at SanetteH@guidedog.org.za)

• Attend and/sponsor our events and fundraising initiatives

• Join the Collar and Tie Club to stand a chance to win monthly prizes

• Become a member

• Nominate the SA Guide-Dogs Association as your charity of choice on the MySchool loyalty cards

• Volunteer to help the association sell car raffle tickets at events and expos

• Host a fundraising event among friends and family

• Become a puppy raiser

• Promote and share their cause and events amongst your networks

• Donate your time or skills

• Donate products applicable to the organisation if you are a business.

For more information, contact the SA Guide-Dogs Association www.guidedog.org.za

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