At just under two years old, Winston, once a mischievous pup known for his cheeky bark and love of bucket-chasing, has officially graduated as a guide dog. Trained by the South African Guide-Dogs Association, Winston has been paired with Luwie, a seasoned handler who has welcomed him as a working partner, as well as family.

 

Why Guide Dogs Are Important

“I don’t see myself without a guide dog any longer,” says Luwie, who has been partnered with five guide dogs since 1994. “Since receiving Winston, I’ve been able to do everything myself again. He’s changed my daily routine completely. We bonded within a week, and now we’re just going strong.”

 

 

How Are Guide Dogs Trained to Be So Obedient?

Winston’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. Like many guide dogs in training, he began his journey bursting with energy and a strong personality, traits that initially made focus a challenge. “He was actually quite naughty in the beginning,” laughs Megan Reid, a trainer at the Guide-Dogs Association. “He was more interested in playing than working, and he’d steal anything he could find. But he’s incredibly food-motivated, and that helped us build trust and teach him the skills he needed.”

The breakthrough moment came during a blindfolded test walk. Megan mistakenly believed they had reached a turning point in the route, but Winston refused to turn. “Despite my insistence, he held his ground. He knew the route better than I did. That was the moment I knew he was ready.”

The warmhearted path of assistance dogs highlights the extraordinary dedication and training involved in matching the right dog with the right person. These partnerships restore independence and quality of life. As Luwie shares, “Winston is sociable, friendly, and incredibly helpful. He even keeps my wife company and occasionally steals her buckets!”

 

Dedicated to Providing Soft Landings

At dotsure.co.za, we’re proud to support this incredible and essential work, by helping to fund guide dog training and cover more than half of the Association’s monthly vet bills. It’s all part of our mission to provide Soft Landings, not just for pet parents but for overall animal welfare.

The impact of professional pups like Winston ripples through families, communities, and hearts. And because all pets deserve protection, dotsure.co.za pet insurance also covers service dogs. Whether they’re chasing buckets or guiding the way, we’re here for them, wholeheartedly.