Stagecoach South Partners with Guide Dogs to Support Puppy Training Program

In a heart warming collaboration, the Aldershot team at Stagecoach South has teamed up with Guide Dogs to provide vital support for the training of future guide dogs. As part of this initiative, Stagecoach is offering free bus travel tickets to volunteer puppy raisers, ensuring that the new generation of guide dogs can be properly exposed to public transport, a crucial part of their development.

The partnership will see 32 volunteer puppy raisers benefit from over 50 free Gold DayRider travel tickets provided by Stagecoach South to assist in training puppies for their future role in guiding people with sight loss. These tickets will allow the volunteers to use Stagecoach South buses across the region, helping the puppies become familiar with the sounds, movements and environments of public transportation. These will support the efforts of those dedicated to raising and training these life-changing dogs.

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.

Stagecoach South Operations Manager (Aldershot), Aaron Hodgkiss, expressed his excitement about the initiative:

"We are proud to support Guide Dogs and play a part in shaping the future of these incredible animals. By offering free bus travel, we hope to make it easier for volunteer puppy raisers to provide essential experiences for the dogs, ensuring they are ready to help individuals with sight loss live the life they choose."

Maria Rogan, from Guide Dogs, added:

"Public transport plays a significant role in everyday life for those with sight loss, and exposing our puppies to buses early in their training is crucial. We are incredibly grateful to Stagecoach South for their generous support. This partnership will not only help us train confident guide dogs, but it also fosters a stronger connection between our charity, the local community and a leading transport provider."

Guide Dogs depends almost entirely on donations, and partnerships like this highlight the power of collaboration in making a meaningful difference. By joining forces with Stagecoach South, the charity continues to provide essential services, helping individuals affected by sight loss lead active, independent and fulfilling lives.

For more information on how to support Guide Dogs or learn about volunteering opportunities, please visit https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/.