Guide Dogs Cymru

Guide Dogs Cymru We will not rest until blind and partially-sighted people can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else

Davina Davies of Carmarthen is the sort of person we wish we could clone! A Guide Dogs volunteer for more than 20 years...
01/09/2026

Davina Davies of Carmarthen is the sort of person we wish we could clone! A Guide Dogs volunteer for more than 20 years, she has held most roles in her local group, including secretary, treasurer, merchandise coordinator and speaker. She was the recipient of our second Royal Patron award of 2026.

The Covid pandemic saw Davina spend four years waiting patiently for a guide dog. During this time, she continued to volunteer with the help of her retired dog, Barney, and is now happily matched with her third dog, Crindau. She has helped her local group raise tens of thousands of pounds through sponsored walks, coffee mornings and countless talks. A fluent Welsh speaker, she has taken part in radio and TV interviews and always speaks highly of Guide Dogs.

Lately, Davina has been on a quest to get as many collecting boxes as possible out into the community to raise much-needed funds. So far, she has increased the number five-fold. Ruth Evans, who nominated Davina for an award, said: “Her enthusiasm at the young age of 80 is a delight to see and her ability to speak to anyone about her sight loss and her guide dog is a pleasure to witness. She welcomes new volunteers into the group and supports them until they feel comfortable in their role. Davina is a volunteer that I wish I could clone.”

pic: Davina Davies and guide dog Crindau accept the Royal Patron award from Guide Dogs chief executive Andrew Lennox

It's Tongue Out Tuesday, and we can always rely on cheeky Aster to be our model! The yellow labrador cross retriever is ...
01/09/2026

It's Tongue Out Tuesday, and we can always rely on cheeky Aster to be our model! The yellow labrador cross retriever is in partnership training with GDMS Rhiannon Isaac in Bridgend, but we welcomed her back to our centre recently for a visit, groom and health check. She appears to be in fine fettle! Our picture shows Aster looking directly at camera with her tongue poking out.

Please welcome another newcomer to Cardiff! Cairn, a black labrador cross retriever, joins us from the Dorset area. He'...
01/09/2026

Please welcome another newcomer to Cardiff! Cairn, a black labrador cross retriever, joins us from the Dorset area. He's pictured outside our centre with trainer Rachael O'Dwyer, who will be taking him through our STEP programme, teaching him the behaviours he will need as a qualified guide dog.

Rachael said: "Cairn is a sweet boy who is enjoying getting to know all the staff and volunteers at the office. He is enjoying our training sessions, playing with the other training dogs, and, most importantly, having plenty of cuddles! He has settled in well with his fosterers and is enjoying his walks with them. "

Volunteers Gill and John Chard brought smiles and laughter to our Awards Ceremony when they were honoured for their dedi...
31/08/2026

Volunteers Gill and John Chard brought smiles and laughter to our Awards Ceremony when they were honoured for their dedication to puppies – and their impromptu acting skills!

Gill and John Chard were described as “full-blown legends in the world of puppy-raising” as they accepted Guide Dogs’ Royal Patron award for long-serving volunteers. The couple began volunteering for Guide Dogs in 1988 and are currently raising their 39th puppy, Cortado.

Nominating the Chards for the award, puppy raising supervisor Mel Wharmby said: “They’ve had enough wagging tails to start their own puppy parade—and, honestly, we wouldn’t put it past them! Throughout their time with us, they’ve faced every type of pup imaginable: the cheeky ones, the shy ones, the superstars and the ones that are convinced a leaf blowing in the wind is an existential threat. Behavioural issues? Challenges? Gill and John have seen it all—and more importantly, they’ve embraced it all with patience, wisdom, and probably an industrial-strength lint roller!”

Pup number 38, Dylan, was their first to qualify as a Buddy Dog for a child with sight loss. Mel said: “As part of the assessment, we needed to see how Dylan might react to a very specific scenario - someone experiencing an epileptic seizure. I gave Gill and John a ring and asked, ‘How are your acting skills?’ There was a long pause, after which I explained that we needed a staged scenario to assess Dylan’s response, and ideally it needed to be filmed.

“Most people would hesitate, but Gill and John? Not even for a second. Not only did they pull it off, they did their own research into epileptic seizures and absolutely nailed it! Dylan’s reaction was fantastic.”

As well as raising puppies, the couple mentor new volunteers and attend bucket collections, talks and events as members of the Vale of Glamorgan group for Guide Dogs. Mel told them: “Your commitment, kindness, and perseverance have made a real difference. And if anyone ever needs a puppy raised and an emergency actor, we know exactly who to call!”

Pic: Gill and John Chard, accompanied by guide dog puppy Cortado, receive their award from Guide Dogs chief executive Andrew Lennox

Giving a talk as a Welsh learner is no easy feat! Volunteer speaker Stephen Sims put his language skills to the test whe...
31/08/2026

Giving a talk as a Welsh learner is no easy feat! Volunteer speaker Stephen Sims put his language skills to the test when he visited a ladies’ group and gave a talk entirely in Welsh, prompting excellent feedback.

Steve was nominated for a volunteer award by fundraising manager Ruth Evans, who said: “In Wales, we have a very small Welsh-speaking pool of volunteer speakers, and when groups request a Welsh-language talk we often have to decline, resulting in no donation. Steve should be recognised for his support of the Welsh language but also for accepting the challenge of talking to groups of Welsh speakers and for his passion and support of Guide Dogs Cymru.”

Steve, whose wife Sue is a guide dog owner, was named runner-up in the category of Expert. He is pictured receiving his certificate from trainee VRS Harry Morgan

It’s been a good year for Guide Dogs Torfaen! Co-ordinator Tony is now the proud owner of his first guide dog, Major, an...
29/08/2026

It’s been a good year for Guide Dogs Torfaen! Co-ordinator Tony is now the proud owner of his first guide dog, Major, and the group is working hard to make a big impact on the area. Tony and his partner Jen have set up part of their market stall to promote Guide Dogs and sell merchandise, and Tony can often be spotted wearing the dog suit at schools during talks. They are in contact with puppy raisers and fosterers in the area and enjoy their support at various events. One new guide dog owner was inspired to sign up to become a speaker after hearing them talk!

The group has organised fundraising activities at the indoor market, attended numerous events and arranged a few of its own, such as psychic evenings and a craft fair. Announcing them as award winners in our Newcomer category, fundraising manager Ruth Evans said: “Tony and Jen always say they do it for Guide Dogs and need no thanks, but they deserve the biggest of thank yous for their support.”

Pic: Tony, Jen and guide dog Major accept the Newcomer award from Michael Shortland of Guide Dogs

Local to Swansea? Pop down to Tesco in Llansamlet today or tomorrow (Saturday or Sunday) and you'll meet our fabulous fu...
29/08/2026

Local to Swansea? Pop down to Tesco in Llansamlet today or tomorrow (Saturday or Sunday) and you'll meet our fabulous fundraisers and their dogs! Staff at the store are big supporters of Guide Dogs and have already raised enough to name four guide dog puppies - Luca, Wyn, Jenny and Teddy. The first paw-traits of Luca and Jenny are already displayed prominently on the wall of the store. Wonder which one will appear next?

pic 1: Luca, a black labrador puppy
pic 2: Jenny, a yellow labrador cross retriever puppy

Our volunteer drivers are the unsung heroes of the dog team, so we were delighted when Martin Hope was unveiled as winne...
28/08/2026

Our volunteer drivers are the unsung heroes of the dog team, so we were delighted when Martin Hope was unveiled as winner of the Expert category at our awards ceremony. Martin was nominated by Harry Morgan, until recently a member of our Operations Support team. Harry said: “I’m required to book and organise volunteer drivers, often at short notice for emergency appointments, and Martin is always so helpful. No job is too big or small for him. I have lost count over the last few years how many times we have needed a last-minute driver and Martin has volunteered.”

Martin has been known to leave home before 6am to collect a dog from rural West Wales for a medical check and ensuring its safe return the same day. Harry said: “Martin takes ownership of the situation by phoning all clients and letting them know his plans. Guide dog owners often tell me how caring Martin was, keeping them up to date. This is so important, as clients can be concerned for their dogs”.

Even when Martin's van was out of action for six weeks, it didn’t deter him from helping. Harry said: “The knock-on effect could have been massive for our team, but Martin asked to use our van instead so he could help.” Congratulations to Martin on his well-deserved win, and keep checking this page for more inspirational volunteer stories!

Pic shows Harry Morgan presenting a certificate to volunteer driver Martin Hope

It's been a big week for golden retriever Percy! He's just been matched and is looking forward to starting class soon. H...
28/08/2026

It's been a big week for golden retriever Percy! He's just been matched and is looking forward to starting class soon. He's pictured sitting with dog wellbeing technician Katie, who said: "He is just the bestest boy!" Above them are the words "You did it! Woo Hoo."

It's Caption Friday! Training dog Zeus and dog wellbeing technician Katie went on their first free run together, and Zeu...
28/08/2026

It's Caption Friday! Training dog Zeus and dog wellbeing technician Katie went on their first free run together, and Zeus found himself a little boat. He looks very pleased with himself, but what do you suppose Zeus is thinking? Comment below!

pic: yellow labrador cross retriever Zeus sitting in boat filled with sand. His mouth is open and he has a happy expression.

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