Guide dog puppy owners can now travel by bus for free thanks to a new scheme.
Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire has partnered with Guide Dogs for the Blind to help support the training of its guide dog puppies.
Under the new initiative, which has officially launched today, trainers and their puppies can board any Stagecoach bus in the region for free.
Travelling on public transport is a key part of the training programme for prospective guide dogs as it helps them adapt to a variety of sounds, movements and smells.
Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “Guide Dogs help provide a lifeline to people with sight loss, and the volunteers who help train the dogs play a crucial part in the process.
“When we were approached by Guide Dogs we were delighted to be able to help in our own way, helping ensure that more people can have access to this scheme and regain their independence.”
All Guide Dogs volunteers have an ID badge with their photo, name, and Guide Dogs ID number.
They will be wearing a guide dog identifiable yellow flash on their lead which reads ‘Dog in Training’. Some dogs may be wearing an orange flash, which means they are in a different stage of their training.
Ruby Harvey, from The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said: “Partnerships like these are essential in helping us train our prospective guide dogs and make sure they are equipped for every life eventuality.
“We cannot wait to see how this benefits our trainers.”
