•First litter in new scheme by Canine Partners and Guide Dogs for the Blind
•Aims to create new generation of specially trained assistance dogs to help disabled people


By Daily Mail Reporter


They may be soft and cuddly now, but before long these super-pups will be providing a lifeline to disabled people under a pioneering scheme.

The cute golden retriever-Labrador crosses were born to Labrador guide dog mother Tina eight weeks ago.

They are the first litter from a new collaborative programme between Stirling-based charity Canine Partners and English organisation Guide Dogs for the Blind, using parents from each of the organisations.


Labr-adorable: The eight-week-old guide dog puppies who will be trained to assist their vulnerable owners with daily tasks under a new scheme

First litter: Marnie, Murray, Martha, Magnum, Joy, Jack and Jodie were born to mother Tina in a collaborative programme between Stirling-based charity Canine Partners and English organisation Guide Dogs for the Blind

The aim is to create a new generation of specially trained assistance dogs to help give disabled people more independence.

Marnie, Murray, Martha, Magnum were yesterday being put through their paces in their second basic obedience training session by Canine Partners staff.

The dogs will go on to learn how to unload washing, answer telephones, open doors and even help undress their vulnerable owners.

Joy, Jack and Jodie have been enrolled at Guide Dog school in Midhurst, Sussex, and will be trained as more traditional seeing-eye dogs.


Doing her proud: Tina with pups Marine and Murray. The dogs will be trained to unload washing, answer telephones, open doors and even help undress their vulnerable owners

A spokeswoman for Canine Partners, who provided a retriever assistance dog for the breeding programme. said: 'Guide Dogs and Canine Partners are both charities under the umbrella organisation Assistance Dogs UK and often work together to train dual purpose dogs for people who are both visually impaired and wheelchair users.

'This is the first time, however, they have joined forces at the puppy stage to share resources ensuring the seven puppies will go on to help someone with a disability.

'For many years, Guide Dogs have been offering some of their puppies to various assistance dog organisations, with many successful working canine partners having come through the Guide Dog breeding scheme.

'It was a natural progression to collaborate at an earlier stage so that both charities were involved right from the start.'



source: dailymail