Paws on board Stagecoach South West supports Guide Dogs puppy training with trips on the bus

• Stagecoach South West partnered with Guide Dogs to help train future guide dogs by giving them experience on public buses in Sidmouth.
• Volunteer puppy raisers took young dogs on board to expose them to real-world sights and sounds, a key step in guide dog development.
• Both organisations emphasised the importance of early training and creating inclusive, supportive environments to promote future independence for people with sight loss.

This week Stagecoach South West, part of the UK’s leading bus operator, welcomed some very special passengers on board its 9 service in Sidmouth, as part of its ongoing partnership with Guide Dogs charity, supporting the early training of future life-changing animals.

Volunteer puppy raisers caught the bus with their young dogs in training to help them get used to the sights, sounds, and movements of public transport. This is an important part of a guide dog’s journey, and these early experiences are key in preparing them to one day becoming life-changing companions supporting someone living with sight loss.

Peter Knight, Managing Director at Stagecoach South West, said:

"We’re really proud to support Guide Dogs to help puppies build confidence as part of their training. It’s a small way we can help make a big difference to someone’s independence in the future. We are committed to making bus travel inclusive and welcoming for everyone in the community."

Familiarising itself with public transport is one of many things a guide dog puppy needs to learn. With the help of their puppy raisers, the pups learn to remain calm and confident in new environments.

A puppy raiser is a volunteer who looks after a guide dog puppy for the first year of their life, from around 8-weeks old to 14 months old, before they start their formal guide dog training.

Kirsteen Welch, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs, added:

“When our puppy raisers are out with their puppies at bus stations or bus stops, the engine is running, it is loud, people are waiting to go. It can be quite overwhelming for our puppies. Stagecoach very kindly offered to let our pups and volunteers practice positive associations with all the noises of the bus, getting on and off, settling at a seat, and travelling. This unique training session gave them the opportunity to take their time, approach the bus at the puppy’s pace and make it a positive experience. "

Guide Dogs, a charity that has been serving the community since 1934, is committed to helping over two million people in the UK living with sight loss live independently and confidently. Through their range of services, including the guide dog service, Guide Dogs provides essential support for children and adults, as well as their families, who are impacted by visual impairments.

To find out more about Guide Dogs visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/