Let’s catch up with Bliss and Huw, who are training to be guide dogs in Shrewsbury

During the day, Huw and Bliss learn the skills they need to become life-changing guide dogs. During their evenings and weekends, they get to relax and unwind with their volunteer Fosterers.

The charity’s Fosterers take care of trainee guide dogs whilst they complete their formal training, which takes around six months.

Natalie is a first-time fosterer and is looking after Bliss. She said: “As a first time Fosterer it’s been a wonderful experience. As we draw closer to Bliss completing her training in the coming weeks, we’ve had so much fun providing a loving home to her. 

“We’ve been supported by the fantastic guide dog trainers and staff and really enjoyed the benefits of having a dog fitting around our lifestyle, whilst being rewarded with the knowledge that we are helping her on this journey to hopefully fulfil her role. 

“Bliss has got such a great personality and we really will miss her, but I would continue to do this with other dogs and urge more people to get involved and support their local centre”. 

Sarah Edwards, a Guide Dog Trainer at Shrewsbury who is training Huw and Bliss, said: “Bliss is doing really well. She really enjoys her work and always gives a full body wiggle when putting her guiding harness on. 

“Bliss’ foster family has done an amazing job with her and give Bliss plenty of chances to simply be a dog on the weekends and enjoy lots of free runs - even though this often means cleaning her afterwards as she loves puddles and mud!”

Laura and Graham Bates are fostering Huw. Laura said: “Huw is coming to the end of his training and it has been a privilege to foster him, it has been amazing to see how far he has come in the last few months.

“Hearing about how well his training is going from his handler Sarah is fantastic, it makes us feel so proud, to be a small part of that is so rewarding.

We will definitely miss his fun character, waggy tail and cheeky smile (yes, he really does smile!) but we know he will make the most wonderful guide dog and the best companion. We can’t wait to hear all about his next steps.

“As a family we love being a part of guide dogs and being a small part of all of the fantastic work they do is an honour”.

Sarah gave an update on how Huw is getting on in training. She said: “Huw is excelling in his training. Along with his guiding routes he has learnt cooperative care behaviours and retrieving toys back into the handler’s hands. 

“Huw’s fosterer family are really patient with him and followed our advice which ultimately really helped set him up for success in his training”.

Guide Dogs Fosterers drop them their pups off at ‘school’ in the morning, and they spend their day with a Guide Dog Trainer, learning how to guide someone with sight loss.

At the end of the day, they’re Fosterer takes them home where they can enjoy some cuddles, playtime and relax – ready for the next day.

The charity says they need more Fosterers to take care of dogs like Huw and Bliss, so they can create more guide dog partnerships.

Being a Fosterer for Guide Dogs is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to be a part of their journey and help prepare them for their future role supporting someone with sight loss.     

Guide Dogs provides all the support and training you need, so you feel well equipped to care for your dog when they arrive with you. Guide Dogs pays for essential costs, including food and vet bills, you just need to provide a bed, bowl and a couple of toys for him or her to enjoy. 

“With your support, Guide Dogs can help train more life-changing guide dogs for people in the UK living with sight loss. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Fosterer for Guide Dogs around Shrewsbury, visit guidedogs.org.uk/fosterer or call 0800 781 1444.     

Volunteers must be aged over 18 and have suitable housing. You must be able to give a guide dog pup the love and attention they deserve.     

Huw is a black Golden Retriever cross Labrador, and Bliss is a yellow Labrador. They are both 19 months old, and all being well, they will soon qualify as working guide dogs.