Gretel - Our Guide Dog

Dogs are more than man's best friend. They are a source of joy, protection, liveliness, and for approximately 240 blind or visually impaired New Zealanders, they are a means of independence, safety, and freedom.
    
New Zealand Guide Dogs are trained by the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind's (RNZFB) Guide Dog Services. The service has more than 40 full and part time staff and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

Each year, around 100 puppies are placed in the care of volunteer puppy walkers. The puppies then return to Guide Dog Services and begin their formal training. Becoming a guide dog involves hard work, a lot of time, money, and extensive training.

It costs over $22,500 to breed, raise, train and match a guide dog. Guide dogs are provided to handlers without charge, and the costs are met by public donations, sponsorships and legacies.

Triple0 proudly sponsored Gretel's (pictured) training to become a four-legged hero. Click here if you would like to take part in this worthwhile cause.