My mother in law is blind as is her co-worker (they work on specially adapted switchboards). They have them about 10 years I think (not 100% on that though as I can't recall exactly!) but it's very sad when the dogs have to retire as the person requiring the dog has to give them up after all that time to get a new assistance dog. There's a man that works with them who is a lovely guy with a house by the beach who takes the dogs for regular holidays when their humans go for training courses at the RNIB etc and he takes them too when they retire so they still get to see them and get updates etc. I imagine it's hard giving them up as puppies too but really hard too when they retire.

Laura

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