HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh helps celebrate retiring guide dogs

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Author: Guide Dogs' Communications Team
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HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh crouches next to retiring guide dog Piper, a yellow Labrador cross golden retriever, while holding a yellow dog tag with the inscription 'Putting my paws up'

As the charity’s new CEO prepares to take the reins, Guide Dogs wants to take the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the retirement of guide dogs, showing how loved and appreciated they are even as their careers come to a close.

One such guide dog is Piper, who is approaching his tenth birthday and is due to retire later this month. He has been by the side of owner Mary Pitman, 81, since 2015. This week the pair were invited to Bagshot Park, Berkshire, the home of Guide Dogs Patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, alongside outgoing Guide Dogs CEO Tom Wright and new CEO Andrew Lennox.

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh smiles with guide dog owner Mary Pitman. The green landscaped gardens of Bagshot Park are in the background.

To mark Piper’s retirement after so many years of loyal service, Mary and Piper were presented with a special ‘Putting my paws up’ dog tag by The Duchess.

Piper is one of hundreds of guide dogs who retire across the UK every year, all of whom deserve to be recognised for their devotion to their owners.

Mary says: “Piper has taken brilliant care of me. Guide dogs are life-changing and give you the chance to just go out and get on with life. To open the door and go out for a walk, just me and him, is wonderful.

“Being blind it often doesn’t take much to knock your confidence. Walking into a lamppost or stepping into traffic can be enough to stop you going out entirely. Having a guide dog with you stops all of that.

“Every dog is different, and I would say my first guide dog Olive was far more dainty and feminine. Piper has been great too; calm but with a cheeky side."

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh stands with Mary Pitman and yellow guide dog Piper in the sunny gardens of Bagshot Park. They all smile towards the camera.

The majority of retired guide dogs stay with their owners even after hanging up the harness. Piper will be spending his remaining years with Mary and her husband Roger at home in Thame, Oxfordshire, as a pet.

Mary added: “I’m grateful that at aged almost ten Piper is still in good health so he can fully enjoy his retirement. We’ll be keeping him active with lots of walks, but he can truly relax.”

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Author: Guide Dogs' Communications Team

Guide Dogs’ Communications Team are available 24/7 to answer journalists' questions about the charity and its services, events and campaigns. We have key spokespeople across all areas of our work and many of the people we support are happy to share their inspirational stories.

Author: Guide Dogs' Communications Team

Guide Dogs’ Communications Team are available 24/7 to answer journalists' questions about the charity and its services, events and campaigns. We have key spokespeople across all areas of our work and many of the people we support are happy to share their inspirational stories.

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