Guide Dogs North East

21/08/2026

Birdie is flying into the weekend after taking part in her very first recall session! 🐦💨

This little high-flyer is just three months old and is now living in Gateshead with her volunteer puppy raiser, and judging by those ears, she’s certainly living up to her name! 💛

[Visual description: Yellow Labrador x Golden Retriever puppy Birdie bounds towards the camera along a grassy path, with all four paws off the ground and her ears lifted in the air. Her puppy raiser follows behind beneath a cloudy sky.]

19/08/2026

Isn’t Gwenda golden? ✨

This gorgeous girl is 17 months old and lives in Huddersfield with her puppy raiser, who captured this beautiful photo of her enjoying the sunshine. 💛

Gwenda has been described as a confident, happy pup. She’s been impressing with her excellent recall and settles well while travelling on buses and trains. At home, she lives with another pet dog and is particularly fond of the family cat! 🐱

[Visual description: A close-up portrait of golden retriever Gwenda sitting outdoors in the sunshine. She is looking towards the camera with her mouth open in a happy expression, against a softly blurred green background.]

12/08/2026

The moon might be stealing the spotlight later, but our lovely Luna has other ideas! 🌙🐶

Luna is a guide dog puppy being raised in West Yorkshire by some of our wonderful volunteers. Together, they’re working on the skills and experiences she’ll need as she prepares for her future role supporting someone with sight loss.

We’re looking for more volunteer Puppy Raisers across our region, particularly in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, to give pups like Luna a loving home and help introduce them to the world.

Could you help a future guide dog shine? Find out more and apply now on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4ts1QLl

And if you’re planning to experience this evening’s partial solar eclipse, please remember to do so safely! ☀️🌙

[Visual description: A selection of photos of Luna, a yellow Golden Retriever x Labrador guide dog puppy. Luna is pictured as if she is smiling at the camera in a garden, relaxing in a field, looking directly into the camera in a close-up portrait, and lying upside down in her bed beside a cuddly toy.]

07/08/2026

A group of some of our brilliant volunteers recently enjoyed a special summer behind-the-scenes visit to our Guide Dogs Regional Centre in Atherton 🐾

The trip offered volunteers the chance to tour the centre, see our dogs working with some of our trainers and learn more about the journey each dog takes before becoming a life-changing guide dog.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to meet other volunteers, staff and guide dog partnerships – and to see first-hand the difference their support makes.

One volunteer said: “It was so good to see the dogs and their training in real life. I also really loved seeing just how much the dogs’ welfare is at the very heart of everything Guide Dogs does.”

Another said the highlight was simply: “Feeling part of an amazing community.” 💙

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special!

Could you join the Guide Dogs family as a volunteer? Find out more about how you can support us on our website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/

[Visual description: A large group of Guide Dogs volunteers smiling outside the Guide Dogs Regional Centre in Atherton. The group is standing together in front of the centre’s modern brick building, beneath a cloudy sky with trees to the right hand side.]

06/08/2026

Meet Sarah from Thirsk, who is preparing to take on this year’s Great North Run completely blindfolded for her daughter Indiana 💛

Indiana, who will turn two this month, was diagnosed with bilateral congenital cataracts at just one day old and has since undergone four surgeries. Her family turned to Guide Dogs for support, and Sarah says our My Time to Play sessions have helped Indiana grow from a shy baby who was fearful of people and scared of unfamiliar textures, into a sociable “little wild child”.

On Sunday 13 September, Sarah will run the half-marathon route blindfolded, guided by her friend Lucy running alongside her.

“We are not runners, but we will give this our all! It’s going to be a huge challenge, especially being blindfolded, but I’m so excited to do it," Sarah says.

“All the money we raise will be given back to Guide Dogs for the support they give to children and young people with sight loss. Their work really is life changing.”

Sarah has already raised more than £730, smashing her original £500 target.

If you would like to support Sarah and Lucy’s incredible challenge, DM us and we will send you the link to their fundraising page!

Support Sarah and Lucy’s incredible challenge here 👉 https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2026.enthuse.com/pf/sarah-clougher

Find out more about My Time To Play on the Guide Dogs website: https://bit.ly/4hiiGJM

[Visual description: Two images of Sarah. In the first she is stood smiling at the camera while holding her young daughter Indiana, and wearing a blue and yellow Guide Dogs T-shirt. In the second, Sarah runs blindfolded alongside her guide runner Lucy on a winding path surrounded by greenery. Both women are wearing Guide Dogs t shirts and are connected by a tether.]

05/08/2026

Bonfire Night might feel a way off, but we’re encouraging dog owners to start preparing their pets for fireworks now 🎆

New Guide Dogs research reveals that nearly two-thirds (63%) of the UK’s dogs – an estimated 9.9 million – experience firework anxiety. Yet more than a third (35%) of owners don’t know that training can help.

Desensitisation training can take around three months, so beginning today gives your dog plenty of time to build up gradually before Bonfire Night.

You can also help other dogs by digging out any forgotten fireworks footage on your phone and donating it to our National Fireworks Archive – the UK’s first crowd-sourced desensitisation training tool for dogs 📱🐾

Watch our free training video here 👉 https://bit.ly/4hfONJX

To donate your fireworks footage, email your videos to [email protected].

[Visual description: A close up of a golden retriever lying on a fluffy grey donut shaped bed in a living room, looking up sitting in front of a TV screen which contains images of colourful fireworks exploding in the night sky.]

03/08/2026

Complete 30km your way this August and unlock a £200 donation for Guide Dogs through Crowns for Causes, funded by Postcode Lottery UK.

Walk it. Run it. Cycle it. Break it up over days. Every kilometre helps transform lives 💛

Sign up via this link and log your KMs on : https://strava.app.link/postcode-lottery-long-distance-raiser-2026

[Visual description: A runner with a vision impairment, wearing a fluorescent yellow top reading “Visually Impaired Runner”, runs alongside his guide runner, who wears a bright orange guide bib. They are connected by a tether and smiling as they run outdoors. Colourful curved graphics frame the image, with the Postcode Lottery Crowns for Causes logo in the bottom-right corner.]

30/07/2026

Where's Waldo? 🐾💛

Just over a year ago, we introduced you to a tiny bundle of fluff called Waldo.

Fast forward to today, and Waldo's puppy raising journey in Leeds has come to an end 🥹

He's soon to be heading to Forfar to begin the next exciting chapter of his adventure – formal guide dog training. And by next year, hopefully being matched with someone whose life he'll change for many years to come.

In this video, volunteer Puppy Raisers Geoff and Rosemary visited our Leeds centre so Waldo could have a small taste of what it's like at 'big school'. They share what it's really like to say goodbye after spending a year raising a future guide dog, while Guide Dog Trainer Elysha explains what Waldo can expect on his first day and beyond.

One of the biggest reasons people tell us they couldn't puppy raise is "I just couldn't give them back." Geoff and Rosemary, who have puppy raised an incredible 10 guide dog puppies, explain why seeing their pup take the next step towards changing someone's life makes it all worthwhile.

So... are you persuaded? 💛

We're urgently looking for more volunteer Puppy Raisers to help train the life-changers of the future.

As a volunteer Puppy Raiser, you'll give a puppy a loving home for around a year, introducing them to everyday life and helping prepare them for the next stage of their training. We'll provide all the training, support and cover all essential costs along the way.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/4ts1QLl

[Visual description: A video following Golden Retriever Waldo as he visits the Guide Dogs Leeds centre for a taste of life before formal guide dog training. It includes clips of Waldo happily exploring the centre, Geoff and Rosemary sharing their puppy raising experience, Guide Dog Trainer Elysha explaining what happens next, and heartwarming footage of Waldo as a tiny puppy on his very first day at home.]

29/07/2026

Come along to our Early Years Habilitation Event at Jarrow Hall!

We’re inviting children aged 0–4 with a vision impairment, along with their immediate family members, to join our team for a special morning of exploration, sensory play and fun at Jarrow Hall next week.

📅 Wednesday 5 August 2026
⏰ 10am–12pm
📍 Jarrow Hall, Church Bank, Jarrow, NE32 3DY

Led by Guide Dogs’ Habilitation Specialists, the morning will include songs, crafts and hands-on activities designed to encourage children’s exploration and sensory development.

Activities will take place indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, with complimentary hot and cold refreshments available.

After the session finishes at midday, families are welcome to continue exploring Jarrow Hall’s museum, Anglo-Saxon farm, reconstructed dwellings and beautiful grounds until the venue closes at 4pm.

Places are limited, so please enquire early to avoid disappointment. To request a booking form, email [email protected].

[Visual description: A Guide Dogs Habilitation Specialist with a young girl who is smiling as she plays with a pile of shredded paper during a sensory session.]

27/07/2026

A standing ovation for these guide dog pups and their volunteers!

A huge thank you to everyone at Newcastle Theatre Royal for welcoming our dogs in training behind the scenes on Friday, giving them the chance to explore the sights, sounds and smells of this incredible venue in a safe and positive way.

Every new experience helps build the confidence they'll need to support someone with sight loss to live the life they choose.

🎥 Take a look at ITV News Tyne Tees' lovely feature on the visit via the following link: https://www.itv.com/watch/news/newcastles-theatre-royal-hosts-a-canine-audience-as-they-get-used-to-the-sights-and-sounds/59swsxy

Could you help shape the next generation of guide dogs? We're looking for more volunteer puppy raisers across Newcastle and the surrounding areas. You'll provide a loving home, plenty of encouragement and lots of cuddles, while helping a puppy take its first steps towards changing someone's life. Find out more on our website: https://bit.ly/4ts1QLl

[Visual description: A preview screen of the ITV News Tyne Tees feature which shows guide dog puppies exploring Newcastle Theatre Royal, including the auditorium, stage and foyer, with interviews from Guide Dogs staff and volunteers about how new experiences help prepare the dogs for their future roles.]

Watch the latest from ITV News - The puppies have been learning how to accompany their visually impaired owners without getting fazed by the bright lights and loud music.