In celebration of our four-legged superheroes

BRYANSTON – It was a celebration of our doggy superheroes on 7 April when the South African Guide Dogs Association hosted its Dogs Unite Walk event at the PwC Bike Park

April 12, 2019

Robyn Kirk 2 minutes read

Preston, who is currently part of the puppy raiser programme, models his cape – every dog participant on the day got one. Photo: Robyn Kirk

On 7 April there were plenty of paws and wagging tails to be found at the South African Guide-Dogs Association hosted its annual Dogs Unite Walk at the PwC Bike Park, located off of Sloane Street in Bryanston.

The event was a chance to celebrate International Guide-Dog Day (24 April), allow our canine friends to be a hero for a day and also raise funds for the organisation’s work in providing guide dogs, service dogs and support dogs for those with visual impairment or other disabilities.

Nadia Sands, Melanie Nel, Yolande van Rooyen, Sanam Thakoor and Mmabatho Koena made up staff from the South African Guide-Dogs Association who were present on the day.
INSET: York and Preston, two of the dogs bred as working dogs by the South African Guide-Dogs Association, show off their capes after the 5km walk. Photo: Robyn Kirk

“The walk was a chance to celebrate dogs,” explained Nadia Sands, the head of marketing for the association.

“Of course our [working] dogs are heroes every day, but we also wanted to give a chance to other dogs to also be heroes.”

About 50 human participants brought along a dog or two on the day to take part in a 5km walk around the bike park.

All funds raised during the Dogs Unite Walk on 7 April went to the South African Guide-Dogs Association. Photo: Robyn Kirk

Dog participants each got their own special dog-sized capes from the association, and after completing the path, participants could have some fun on the PwC grounds and enjoy the coffee and food on sale.

“The Dogs Unite Walk was a chance to fundraise for the organisation, an awareness campaign and also a good chance for people to keep their dogs healthy, happy and social.

It was very much a fun family day out and we are so grateful for the fantastic support.

“A big thank you to PwC for letting us have our event here, and to Bob Martin for sponsoring.”

Tammy Visagie is a puppy raiser for the Guide Dogs Association who brought along two puppies she has raised for the Dogs Unite Walk. Photo: Robyn Kirk

Although pet dogs were welcome, the walk was also a chance to put future working dogs to the test.

“The walk was divine and very well attended,” explained Tammy Visagie, who is a volunteer puppy raiser for the association, said.

For the walk, Visagie brought along York, a male she has raised previously for the organisation as well as Preston, a puppy she is currently raising.

“It was a lovely family day and the dogs loved it. It was also such a good training opportunity for Preston, as guide dogs need to be able to handle public places, distractions, and other dogs.”

“They should definitely do events like this more often!”

York and Preston, two of the dogs bred as working dogs by the South African Guide-Dogs Association, show off their capes after the 5km walk. Photo: Robyn Kirk

If you would like to support the South African Guide-Dogs Association, there will be a fundraising golf day in May, a family fun day in July and a car raffle promotion until the end of the year.