A SOUTHAMPTON bus company is providing vital experience for guide dogs in training. Bluestar has teamed up with Guide Dogs to help provide some vital bus travel experience for puppies in training. The bus company previously offered free travel across Southampton for staff, volunteers and their canine trainees, to give pups a chance to get used to hopping on-and-off buses. Now, restrictions during the pandemic have prevented this crucial aspect of their education. “We were contacted by the charity, Guide Dogs, who were concerned that they couldn’t progress travel training for puppies in Southampton during the Covid-19 pandemic - so we came up with an idea to help,” said Nikki Honer, Bluestar head of communications.
A BLIND woman has described the charity Guide Dogs decision to not provide her with a guide dog as cruel and callous. Thelma Evans, 64 from West Moors, is registered blind and has had seven guide dogs in the past. She has been on the waiting list for a new dog since September 2019 and her current dog Zebadee is retired due to having leg difficulties. However, Mrs Evans has now been told she is no longer eligible for a guide dog. She said: This is a very cruel and callous thing to do, because if I don’t have another dog, I’m going to be housebound for the rest of my life and I’m only 64. My dog had to retire last August, so I’ve been housebound for five months as it is, which is outrageous in itself.