Number of walks taking place in Cork next week to mark Guide Dog Day

A number of dog walks are set to take place in Cork venues and across the country to mark Guide Dog Day next Friday.

Cork-based charity Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind launched the charity’s annual fundraising campaign this week with ambassador and Munster and Ireland player Jack Crowley.

Guide Dog Day will focus on the organisation’s clients, their families and volunteers sharing their stories about the difference Guide and Assistance Dogs have had in their lives and community.

On Saturday, May 25 there will be a walk on Bantry Boardwalk at 11am, while the following day, Sunday May 26, there are two walks in Cork — at the Castlegrounds, Macroom and in Ballincollig Regional Park — both also taking place at 11am.

“Guide Dog Day last year enabled us to successfully match 58 Guide Dog and Assistance Dog partnerships and place eight Community Dogs in schools and facilities around the country,” Tim O’Mahony, chief executive officer of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind said.

“With the training of one guide dog costing approximately €53,000 we need immense support on Guide Dog Day this year to achieve our target of changing the lives of 84 families in 2024 through the provision of our services. In addition to those 84 families, we will also support the 400 clients who currently have our dogs,” he added.

The breeding programme continues to grow with six litters successfully born so far in 2024. 110 puppies are currently being puppy raised. These pups will be the dogs who start formal training later this year and during 2025.

There are 44 pups currently undergoing formal training who will hopefully be successfully matched in the coming months. There are 78 families on the waiting list for the Assistance Dog Programme.

Guide Dog Day celebrations will see fundraising collections and dog walks taking place across the country. For full details see www.GuideDogs.ie