North Wales MS Mark Isherwood sponsored and spoke at the ‘Celebration of Guide Dogs Cymru’ event in the Senedd yesterday, at which Guide Dog Owners, along with children with a vision impairment, and their families, shared their experiences of the challenges they face in their everyday lives.
Speaking after the event, Mr Isherwood said:
“Having worked with Guide Dogs Cymru over many years, I was very pleased to host this event, which provided Members of the Senedd with the opportunity to learn about Guide Dogs services in Wales and to hear directly from vision impaired people about what matters to them in their everyday lives.
“There was a particular focus on Guide Dogs Cymru’s services to children and young people, and the importance of specialist habilitation support which enables them, from early years onwards, to develop the skills and confidence for independence.
“Guide Dogs Cymru were particularly pleased to have some of Guide Dogs’ youngest clients and their families as their guests, some with their Buddy Dogs and some with direct experience of habilitation and all its benefits.
“We also welcomed Campaign Volunteers with their Guide Dogs, as well as a puppy in training, a very experienced Puppy Raiser and members of the Guide Dogs team in Wales who work directly with vision impaired people enabling them, to get out and about in the way they choose.
“The event was also an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful and continuing campaign work of Guide Dogs Cymru on accessible transport, streets and shared public spaces.
“I thank Guide Dogs Cymru and Andrea Gordon, External Affairs Manager for Guide Dogs Cymru, for all that they do.”