The puppy raisers training 'life-changing' future guide dogs

When Peter Lockhart first decided to become a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs NI, it was initially to appease his children who really wanted a family dog.

Six years later, they are on their fourth puppy hoping to become a "life-changing" guide dog.

This week, the Duchess of Edinburgh celebrated 40 years of the charity by meeting some of Guide Dog NI's newest recruits, including Peter's current puppy, Willa.

She will be with him to learn the basics and get socialised, then continue in her journey to becoming a guide dog with advanced training at the specialist training centre in Belfast.

Willa is 19-months-old and is expected to progress to advanced training in May.

She was welcomed by Peter's family when she was about eight-weeks-old.

He said that while it "never gets any easier" to say goodbye to the dogs when they move on in their training, he said he understands the "absolute essential lifeline" they provide to people with sight loss.

"When you see the value of what you do then you realise - that's what it's about," Peter said.

"A guide dog gives someone their independence, freedom, a lot of reassurance, reduces their anxiety, it basically just gives them a life out and about that otherwise is somewhat restricted by the use of a white cane.

"It also gives them a companion that they may not otherwise have so they really they play a vital role in people's lives."

Peter said when you meet those who use the guide dogs he raised as a puppy, "that's when the penny really drops as to what the benefit of them actually is to people".

He has previously trained three other puppies, two of which have gone on to become successful guide dogs.

The puppy who didn't complete the programme did so because it didn't like wearing the coat required for the dogs to wear when they are in training or work mode.

"If you see the dog as a house project, we're building the foundations for it - the advanced training people do the building.

"We basically do the ground work or making sure that everything is comfortable with them in terms of the outside world."

As part of the basic training, puppy raisers will get the puppies used to different environments and noises, become comfortable walking on leads, socialising with other people and dogs, and developing good recall.

Peter said that while Willa gets a lot of free play time, she "loves to work" and the times are differentiated when she is wearing her 'puppy in training' coat.

In advanced training, dogs will learn proper safety elements such as where and when to cross roads, how to deal with obstacles and how to steer their owner.

Peter said when the dogs he has raised have completed the advanced training, it gives him a "proud parent moment".

"You think, 'that's my girl'."

The Duchess of Edinburgh celebrated the 40th anniversary of Guide Dogs NI on Tuesday with a visit to Bloomfield Walkway Community Centre.

Youth workers, volunteers and young people were among those who spoke with the duchess during her visit to the facility.

She was also introduced to several guide dogs, their owners and their trainers.

Sophie paused to pet the dogs while hearing about their progress through the charity, which she supports as patron.

When talking about the service that Guide Dogs NI offers, the duchess stated: "People don't realise that having or training a guide dog is like having an additional member of the family - they are a companion in many ways.

"They play an incredibly important role.

"They provide companionship and act as the eyes for their owners, but when they are off duty, they are also a pet."

Peter has encouraged anyone interested in becoming a puppy raiser to contact Guide Dogs NI.