Buddy Dogs
Building Confidence
Through Companionship
At Guide Dogs we believe that a dog can make a
remarkable difference in any child’s life through the
human/animal bond and the Buddy Dogs Service is
testament to this.
The service matches specially selected dogs and places
them within a family, school or organisation environment
for the benefit of blind or partially sighted children and
young people.
Buddy dogs are guide dogs that haven’t qualified to
work as mobility assistance dogs but can improve the
quality of life of blind and partially sighted children
and young people by contributing to their sensory and
physical development. This in turn enhances the childs
confidence and self esteem, countering isolation and
depression, increasing levels of exercise and improving
their communication and mobility skills. In some cases a
buddy dog can help to assess whether a young person
could benefit from a guide dog in the future.
There are two types of buddy dog partnerships
Young People’s buddy dog within a Family
Environment
The dog is carefully matched to and placed with
the family under the buddy dog owner agreement.
School or Organisation buddy dog
This type of partnership will benefit a larger number of
blind and partially sighted children and young people and
enable them to have the opportunity to have contact with
and learn about dogs that they may not have at home.
Buddy Dog Kirsty has lived with Max Snedker and his
family since March 2012. Max’s mum Kerry said;
“
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For more information visit
www.guidedogs.org.uk/services/buddy-dogs
or call 0118 9835555
Guide Dogs is the working name of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Registered office: Hillfields, Burghfield
Common, Reading, RG7 3YG. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (291646) and a
charity registered in England and Wales (209617) and Scotland (SC038979) 3776 11/12