Lena's story
When Lena’s third guide dog, Pete, retired in September 2022 she tried to prepare for his retirement as much as possible, but she was worried about how she would adjust. “I was used to being independent with Pete guiding me, and I was worried about how I would cope.”
From the moment I phoned Guide Dogs, they were absolutely superb. It was such a personalised service; it felt like I really mattered and that they genuinely wanted to make my life easier for me.
Guide Dogs has a range of support services to help people as they prepare to be matched with a new guide dog. “When Pete retired my Guide Dog Mobility Specialist asked if I’d like any mobility training, and I started having regular sessions with a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist.”
Steve, a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist from the Guide Dogs South West team, visited Lena at home. “He helped me refresh my cane skills, learn new routes around my local area, and provided lots of advice about different technology and tools that could help me. I have cerebral palsy and my wrists can get sore using a cane from the constant bumps.
Steve helped me try different cane tips, including one with a wheel. He also told me about different apps which can help me navigate. Staying active also helped me build the skills I needed to prepare for being partnered with a new, fit, young guide dog.”
Lena got the call about a potential new guide dog, her fourth, in March 2023. “She was a yellow golden retriever cross called Alex – my first golden girl!”
“All of my guide dogs have been so different, so you have to learn about each dog to understand their motivations. Alex is my first female, yellow guide dog and she’s much smaller than my previous dogs – so it felt like a big change at first. She’s quite a delicate flower, but she’s also very confident and just gets on with everything. Our partnership clicked from the very beginning and I’m excited to see where this new chapter will take us.”
I’d say to anyone who was thinking about contacting Guide Dogs, just do it! There is so much support that they provide, not just guide dogs. I can honestly say I’m so pleased I applied as my life would have been very, very different without my guide dogs by my side.