THE BELGRADE Theatre had a visit from a group of special puppies as part of their guide dog training.
Four guide dog pups, Opal, David, Dahlia and Harry, along with working guide dog Carlo, were invited to explore the theatre and meet the cast of this years panto, Dick Whittington.
The pups went around the auditorium and stage, where they were shown lighting and played sound effects from the show.
Each pup was accompanied by their volunteer Puppy Raiser, who looks after them until they are just over a year old, before they move to a Guide Dogs’ centre to start their formal training.
Anna Standing, puppy raising operations manager for Guide Dogs, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to The Belgrade Theatre and to the cast of Dick Whittington, for supporting us with this training session.
“As our puppies grow and develop, it’s really important that they are exposed to different sights and sounds, so they grow up to become happy and confident guide dogs.
“Exploring the theatre and meeting the cast in costume provided a fantastic, sensory experience for our puppies and gave them an opportunity to get used to a theatre environment.”
A spokesperson from the theatre added staff were delighted to welcome the puppies and it was a joy to support a wonderful charity.
Guide Dogs is currently recruiting for more volunteer Puppy Raisers across The Midlands, who could raise a guide dog puppy in 2025.
The charity provides support and training for its Puppy Raisers and covers the essential costs involved with caring for a puppy, such as food and veterinary care.
Visit: guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering or email [email protected] to find out more.
