Bryanston resident qualifies for her first guide dog

A Bryanston resident recently qualified with her first guide dog, a yellow female Labrador and will be roaming the streets together.

Alexandra Makhlouf who started walking with Bonnie since August is a fine arts student at Wits University.

Bonnie was trained by the SA Guide-Dogs Association training facility in Paulshof, Sandton. She was raised by Ilse Prinsloo and her family during her puppy raising year and they have the following to say about their fostered four-footed child.

“Bonnie is a bright girl, headstrong and focused, she gives affection when she wants to not the other way around. She was my first puppy I raised in conjunction with Guide-Dogs Association and will always be the one and only Bonnie ever.”

SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s founder, Gladys Evans, who had failing eyesight, brought the first Guide Dog – Sheena – onto the African continent after training at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the UK.

Evans started the SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind in Johannesburg in 1953.

Pieter van Niekerk of the Guide-Dogs Association said guide dog breeding lines 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 old, for six months of advanced training.”

He continued that all applicants and dogs are carefully matched to suit each other’s needs. “Training of the guide dog and the recipient is first done at the association’s residential training centres for two weeks, followed by additional training in the guide dog owner’s home and work environment.”

“If you happen to encounter Alexandra and Bonnie on their daily routes please do not distract, call, pat or feed Bonnie.”

He said that 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.”

Details: For more information visit www.guidedog.org.za

Have you seen the guide dogs in action before? Share your stories with us on the Sandton Chroniclee Facebook page

Also check out:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/208938/dogs-mans-best-friend-thousands-years/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/204464/worldblooddonorday-know-dogs-can-donate-blood/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/198991/unspeakable-cruelty-must-can-stop-dog-fighting/