Ben's time at the Guide Dogs Centre
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Ben first arrived at the Guide Dogs Centre as an eight-week old Labrador pup. After a visit to our vet and other check-ups, he stayed in the loving care of our kennel attendants until he went to live with a
Puppy Raising family for about a year. Ben passed the next twelve or so months happily, being socialised among the sights, sounds and smells of the outside world. This year of fun and discovery also prepared him well for his future life as a Guide Dog.
When Ben returned to the Guide Dogs Centre at the age of 14 months, he joined 23 other Labradors and Golden Retrievers, each one keen to begin their assessment for training.
His days began at 8 o'clock, when he was woken by a buzzing alarm and a flashing green light. Like any good dog, his curiosity was aroused and he learnt very quickly that if he pressed his paws on a small door on one side of his kennel, the steel door that was usually locked by magnetic force would swing open.
When he did this, he was greeted by the sight of the outside world, and spent some time each morning in the general toileting area that he shared with the dog next door.
Ben was assessed by our vet and instructors to check whether his health and temperament were suited to the role of Guide Dog.
The instructors walked him each day for about two weeks in nearby Windsor and Richmond, as well as around the Centre's training track, and observed his every reaction.
Each day after his assessment, Ben entertained himself around the Centre under the watchful eye of the kennel attendants. He enjoyed running around the fenced grass areas and playing with his canine friends in the socialising areas.
He was then served his meal for the day, followed by an excursion to the kennel's shower and grooming area. As well as daily grooming, Ben was showered, shampooed, and blow-dried, something that occurs on a regular basis.
Indeed, like all of the dogs at the Centre, Ben was groomed to perfection.
Once he looked his very best, Ben had a well-deserved rest in the sunshine in his Kennel Block's external runs, before returning to his kennel and falling asleep at 6 o'clock.
Ben passed the assessment with flying colours and was accepted into the program. He was eager to work, with good concentration and initiative, and could control the temptation to be distracted by other animals.
Twenty weeks later, he successfully completed his training at the Centre and was matched with his new user. Together they began learning to get around safely.
Completing this stage might take Ben up to six weeks of training at his new user's home, after which he will receive a medallion declaring to the world that he is a Guide Dog and that together, he and his user have made a successful team.
And then his new life really can begin.