Furry friends at Isle school during National Guide Dog Week

Puppy walker Derek Mattocks visited Westwoodside C of E Primary Academy with his current puppy in training Aero, a

13-month old golden Labrador, and Martin Southam, himself partially sighted, with his black Labrador retriever cross, Kean.

Both Derek and Martin are Doncaster Fundraising Branch speakers.

They answered questions about the work of the charity from children, who were delighted to meet the dogs and learn about their important roles as guide animals to people who need them.

Assistant headteacher Helen Spowage said: “Both Aero and Kean were on their best behaviour throughout the visit!

“This visit supported one of our five core Christian values of compassion and allowed even our youngest children to understand how Martin is supported in many daily activities by his best friend Kean.”

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association provides mobility and freedom to both blind and partially sighted people, pupils were told.

It also campaigns for the rights of people with visual impairment, educates the public about eye care and funds eye disease research.

Independence services include long cane mobility training, and communication and daily living skills.

The association has bred and trained guide dogs for more than 75 years, providing thousands of canine helpers to blind and partially-sighted people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Charity workers also deliver confidence-building rehabilitation services to adults, young people and children who have sight issues.

Research is carried out that provides sound scientific evidence on which to base services, campaigns, policies and operational procedures, and also funds ophthalmic research projects. Workers campaign alongside visually-impaired people for rights that most sighted people take for granted.