More than just man’s best friend

More than just man’s best friend

25 July 2012 - by Joanne Fleming

A CHAPELTOWN woman is the owner of two devoted labrador dogs — one which helps her see, and the other which has retired after years of faithful service.

Two year-old golden labrador Lena and eight year-old black labrador Wenna are the guide dogs who have helped Pauline McKenna live as normal a life as possible.

Having lost her sight in a childhood illness, Pauline’s beloved guide dogs have been relatively recent additions to her life. Their contribution is such that she regularly fundraises for the Guide Dogs charity, previously known as Guide Dogs for the Blind, and hopes to encourage more local people to do so, or consider one of the vital volunteering roles within the organisation.

“I took meningitis when I was 10 years old and went blind after several months,” Pauline explained. “I regained my sight partially, and have tunnel vision, which means I cannot see the periphery.”

When a guide dog was first suggested to her seven years ago, Pauline, a dog lover, jumped at the opportunity to bring 21 month-old Wenna into her home.

“Since then I have been in England several times, I can go into Downpatrick, I can go to Belfast,” she said. “Previously I would have been put on the bus in Chapeltown and my sister would have had to meet me and put me back on the bus.

“It gives me a great feeling of independence. Before that I would have been nervous about going out on my own.”

With the average working life of a guide dog six to seven years, Wenna recently had to make way for Lena, who joined the family in November.

There is no rivalry, however, and Wenna seems to be taking her retirement with good grace.

“Lena came for four weekends to be introduced to Wenna,” Pauline explained. “Wenna thinks when I am holding out the harness it is for her but she does not get annoyed when she realises she is not going out.”

Describing her relationship with Wenna as “something really quite special”, Pauline has also built a close bond with her new guide dog despite their very different personalities.

“Wenna is very relaxed and quite quiet,” she said. “Lena is a really lovely wee dog, very good, but completely different. She is very, very active and very affectionate and runs and jumps up onto the bed.

“If I do not get up in time for Wenna she will take my slippers and throw them at me and nudge me at times.”

It is the harness, however, Pauline explains, which instantly switches these loveable but highly trained dogs into working mode.

“When on a harness they are aware that they are working, but unfortunately people walking past Lena pet her, although it says on the sleeve of the harness ‘please do not distract me I am working’.

“It is about education. The number of times I have heard parents say ‘oh there is a guide dog’ and a child has said ‘do not disturb it is working’”.

To help raise awareness, Pauline gives talks in local primary schools and nursery schools, aware that the sight of a visually impaired person with a guide dog is still quite a rare sight in Down District.

“There is a man in Killyleagh with a guide dog, that is the only man I am aware of, and a lady in Saintfield,” she said. “Not everyone who applies for one is suitable and some people decide they do not want the long term commitment. It is not for everyone.”

The Guide Dogs charity has to get the match right as it costs £50,000 to train a guide dog over its life, and they receive no government funding.

Volunteers house prospective guide dogs for the first year of their life in its Puppy Walker scheme, teaching basic social and obedience skills, before the specialised training begins. Not every dog meets the grade, and for those that do it becomes a case of matching them to the right owner.

“I had to go to the La Mon for two weeks for training with Wenna,” Pauline explained. “You get matched within a year or two of requesting, it depends. Initially they watch you walk and see your pace and height. Or if you live in the country with cats and chickens, all these things you have to take into consideration when choosing a dog.”

Overall Pauline has had positive reactions when she is out and about with her guide dogs, apart from in one shop in Downpatrick, where she was asked to leave.

“I said I cannot put the dog out, but she didn’t listen,” said Pauline. “I wrote a letter of complaint, and they never replied, but I noticed the girl wasn’t working there anymore.

“I was in furniture stores in January and had two dogs with me and there was no problem, and when I am in a cafe in Belfast she just gets under the table and does not appear until we are going.”

Aware of how much is invested in the life of a guide dog Pauline is committed to fundraising locally with husband Shaun and daughter Katrina, whether bag packing or fundraising as she recently did at the Castlewellan Show.

“With no government funding we depend on the goodwill of the public,” she said. “We also need more volunteers, for the Puppy Walking scheme for example, for taking a dog in when they are on holiday, driving duties, or sponsoring a puppy.

“Even someone holding a bucket for half an hour would be a great help.”

For local fundraising opportunities, or to request a talk from Pauline in a local primary or nursery school, contact her 07703 524243.

For other volunteering roles contact the Guide Dogs in Belfast on 0845 3727402.