Irish Guide Dogs Bandon Branch

From time to time we need to rehome one of our dogs. Could you provide a forever home to lovely Heather?

Heather is a sweet dog, and gets on well with people, but she does struggle with being highly dog distracted. She requires a quiet and experienced family to help support her challenging behavioural needs

NOTE: Rehomed dogs may or may not have completed training and are strictly only rehomed as pets and not as Guide or Assistance Dogs. They should not be considered as a support for any child or adult who has additional needs. They also do not have any access rights. Applications will only be accepted through the rehoming form on individual dog profiles on our website.

Click here to find out more about Heather: https://www.guidedogs.ie/dogs/heather

The correct matching of our Guide and Assistance Dogs is very important to ensure the partnership with their owner has the best possible opportunity to succeed.

Guide Dog in Training Croí has been matched to a client who is a frequent flyer therefore, as part of his training, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Alison Ardern recently introduced Croí to the sights and sounds of an airport and an aircraft cabin.

Huge thanks to for the co-operation of Adrian Kevane, Duty Manager at Cork Airport and Vincent Healy, Aer Lingus Operations Manager at Cork Airport who facilitated Alison and Croí’s visit.

Interested in helping to change someone's life?

Find out about becoming a Puppy Raiser!

Join our FREE information webinar tomorrow evening at 7pm. To register [email protected]

IMPORTANT - Please note that we do not conduct any door-to-door collections.

If you experience any such incidents, please report to your local Garda station.

Puppies in Training from our T-Litter; Tara, Tess, Terry and Taylor in our Training Centre in Cork recently.

Please donate today to help us train these beauties to change someone's life: https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/donate

*IMPORTANT NOTICE*

We have been made aware of people calling to houses claiming to be collecting for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, and other charities.

Please note, we do not authorise any door-to-door collections.

All of our Volunteers have identification cards and are happy to show them at any time when fundraising at various events and locations in their local communities.

Many thanks to those who donate and support our work at those events.

Not all dogs born and entering our training programmes qualify as working dogs. From time to time, we need to rehome dogs that have been withdrawn from training or retired from working life.

A forever home is required for a very special dog.

Tucker is a unique dog who requires the love and support of an exceptional family.

He has a progressive life-limiting cardiac condition that requires careful management.

To find out more about Tucker and to apply visit: https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/dogs-rehoming

Please note: Applicants will only be accepted via the rehoming application form on our website.



Image description: Tucker sitting on a grey floor looking straight up to the camera.

Applications for our online Transition Year Programme 2024 are now open! See our website for more details on how to apply https://buff.ly/3GynXdK


Image description: Graphic shows 3 puppies cuddling together, an image of Roy Keane holding a puppy and 4 dogs in the free run area. Graphic also shows text 'TY Programme 2024, together we are changing lives and applications open

We are so looking forward to our annual Open Day this Saturday 26th August from 12pm-4pm. Will you be joining us?

There will be training demonstrations, on-site tours, and of course lots of dogs!

Entry fee is €5 per person, or €10 for a family of four.

Please note there is no parking onsite on the day. Parking will be available at the Ballincollig Primary Care Centre (Eircode P31 XN96). There will be a shuttle bus running every 10 to 15 mins from 12pm to 4pm.

No pet dogs will be allowed on site.



Image description: Signage showing details of the Open Day outside National Training Centre on Model Farm Road, Cork.

You can now apply for our Assistance Dog Programme 😊!
The application form is live on our website from now until 9pm.
https://buff.ly/45fmDpJ

Please visit our FAQ section if you have any queries https://buff.ly/3OHKPKf

If you are having any difficulty while completing the application, please contact Technical Support during the application time via telephone 021 487 8280 or via email at [email protected].

We will be very happy to help.



Image description: Image of puppy drinking from a water bowl with text announcing opening time and date of Assistance Dog Programme.

Could you give Voldee his forever home? 💚💚💚

Voldee is a fantastic, young, enthusiastic dog. He is great walking on lead and is lovely with children, He is sociable and playful, and at mealtimes, Voldee is well-behaved, and controlled while the family eat their meals.

If you're interested in rehoming Voldee, please click here: https://www.guidedogs.ie/dogs/voldee

We are looking for Breeding Volunteers in the Munster area to help us create the next generation of amazing Guide and Assistance Dogs!

At Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind we own our own breeding colony. Volunteers across the country hold our brood bi***es and stud dogs in their homes.

Our broods have 3-4 litters and retire at 6 years of age. We cover all food and medical costs until retirement. All training and support will be provided by IGDB.

Find out more on our website https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer/breeding-dog-volunteers , contact [email protected] or call us on +353 21 487 8200 to speak with our Breeding Supervisor

Image description: Retired Brood Lulu with her daughters Vogue and Vitara

Can you help?

**PUPPY RAISERS NEEDED**

We urgently need Puppy Raisers in the Munster and Leinster areas.

If you'd like to know more information we have a Puppy Raising webinar on July 28th from 7-8pm. Please email [email protected] to sign up.

You can also find more information and our application form here: https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer/puppy-raising

**URGENT - Temporary Boarders Needed in Cork**

Under the direction of our Training team, Temporary Boarding Volunteers mind our dogs in their own homes during evenings and weekends, for a few weeks to six months. Dogs need to be dropped to our Training Centre on Model Farm Road each morning and collected in the evening.

If you think you can help and want to have an important role in please get in touch.

Visit our website to find out more and to apply here: https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer/temporary-boarding

Image Description: Dogs in Training and also brothers Bramble and Beckett having fun in our grass run with Anna. They are all looking at the camera with their mouths open and tongues hanging out

Looking to work in a rewarding environment and make a difference to others? Become part of our team and change lives everyday!

We are currently hiring in Cork:
1. Dog Care & Welfare Assistant 2. Guide Dog Programme Support Officer x 2

https://www.guidedogs.ie/about/about-us/careers

Image Description: Irish Guide Dog for the Blind headquarter's sign.

Puppy Raisers are urgently needed in Munster and Leinster!

Help our puppies in the crucial initial stages of their training to become Guide and Assistance Dogs.

Want to learn more about Puppy Raising? Join our Puppy Raising Webinar - 21 April at 7pm-8pm. Email [email protected] to sign up.

Check out our website for more information https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer/puppy-raising

Image description: Puppy in Training Yaida sitting in the garden wearing Puppy in Training jacket.

Always great to catch up with our friend and Ambassador Roy Keane who popped into our National Training Centre this morning.

Unsurprisingly Ulreeka made quite an impression!



Image description: Roy kneeling beside Ulreeka and holding her lead. Both looking to the camera.

We are hiring a Guide Dog Programme Manager to help us

The role requires a highly capable, purpose-led, and values-driven leader to ensure our Guide Dog Programme components are designed, planned, implemented, and reported effectively. Learn more and apply now > https://www.guidedogs.ie/about/about-us/careers

Image description: Instructor Simon walking with Guide Dog in Training Jimmy along a cobblelocked pavement.

Percy getting ready today for his visit to 4th class in Newcestown School who fundraised for Irish Guide Dog. Thank you 4th class

Puppy Raising Manager Erin McDonald spoke on Morning Ireland this morning in relation to our need for Puppy Raisers in parts of Leinster and Munster.

(Listen here at 1:42 https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/morning-ireland/programmes/2022/0222/1282226-morning-ireland-tuesday-22-february-2022/)

Could you help our pups in the first vital stages of their training?

You’ll benefit from:
- The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home
- The satisfaction that you have had a pivotal role in providing Guide and Assistance Dogs that enable people to enjoy the same freedom and independence as everyone else.
- The opportunity to learn new dog training skills from our Puppy Raising Supervisors.

To find out more visit our website here https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/volunteer/puppy-raising

Image description: Puppy in Training Bramble sitting looking at the camera.