Say hello to guide-dog-in-training Ike
BOSKRUIN – Ward 134 councillor Wendy Alexander will be fostering a South African Guide-Dogs Association puppy for 18 months.
Ward 134 councillor Wendy Alexander would like to introduce you to Ike, a South African Guide-Dogs Association puppy that she will be fostering for 18 months to get him ready for service.
Alexander said that the task of raising the little pup serves as a nice and calm distraction from the tough duties of taking care of her ward. “This is the first time that I am doing something like this, and I think that it is such a worthy cause,” she said. “The Guide-Dogs Association is something very close to my heart and the work that they do for people with disabilities is extraordinary.”
In the first year of the puppy’s life, they live in the puppy raiser’s home and become part of the family’s daily lives. This assists in teaching the puppy general social behaviours and manners.
During the year of fostering, puppies are exposed to a variety of people and the environment. One of the challenges service dogs like Ike struggle with is access to public spaces. Though service dogs are legally granted access to all public spaces, there is still a need for further education in spaces like shopping centres, restaurants and fitness centres.
Alexander said that Ike gets on amazingly well with her family and her other pets and will be sad to see him go. “It will be hard to give him up at the end of his time with me. I always think of the cause behind what I am doing, the person that will be getting him. Our older dog loves Ike and helps to teach him important manners and his friendship with my son helps him to gain exposure to children.
“If he becomes a guide dog, the independence it will create for somebody living with blindness and their ability to move around more freely will be worth all the effort in raising him.”
After the 18 months of development is up, Ike will be assessed for suitability as a guide dog, service dog, or autism support dog by the association.
Ike will be accompanying Wendy around the ward, meeting residents, visiting public spaces and gaining all the necessary training that he may need to make him a great service dog.
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