01/07/2026
A couple of weeks ago, we had a very exciting visitor at nursery — A and her wonderful guide dog, Matty! The children were absolutely delighted to meet Matty, who arrived with a waggy tail and the calmest, kindest eyes.
Everyone had the chance to give Matty a gentle stroke, noticing how soft and silky his fur felt. We explored where his paws, tail, and ears were, and chatted about how guide dogs use all their senses to help their owners every single day.
A showed us Matty’s special harness and explained how he helps her stay safe, find her way, and feel confident when out and about. The children listened beautifully and asked thoughtful questions — they were fascinated to learn that Matty knows how to stop at kerbs, avoid obstacles, and even find doors.
We also talked about how to behave around working dogs, practising calm hands, quiet voices, and gentle movements. Matty was a superstar and enjoyed all the attention!
It was a truly lovely visit full of curiosity, kindness, and learning. Thank you to Peacehaven Coastal fundraising group for Guide Dogs for giving our children such a meaningful experience.
🐶💬 Questions to Spark Conversation at Home
Can you tell me what Matty the guide dog looked like?
💬 How did Matty’s fur feel when you stroked him?
💬Where were Matty’s paws, tail and ears? Can you show me?
💬What special job does Matty do to help A?
💬Did Matty wear anything that helps him work? What did it look like?
💬What did you learn about how to behave around a working guide dog?
💬If you had a guide dog, what would you name it?
