Hugh Elliot is guided by a mask, by a dog and receives thanks from ONCE for donations from the British colony settled in Spain
On Thursday, the UK Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, learned about the benefits of ONCE guide dogs and the work being carried out with these animals so that they provide complete safety and independence for blind people.
Accompanied by his wife, Maria Antonia Elliott, he visited the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation (FOPG) facilities, visited the kennel area and veterinary clinic and attended a brief exhibition where ‘Zafiro’, a black Labrador retriever on hand after becoming blind, would shortly after show how he Able to overcome obstacles, go up and down stairs, or find a crosswalk.
The ambassador and his wife put on the mask and experienced firsthand the sensation of being blindly led by Zafiro. They also chose the name “Roscoe” for one of the puppies that will be born next week.
ONCE Vice President Alberto Duran; President of the FOPG and Deputy General Director of Social Services for People Affiliated with ONCE, Andrés Ramos; FOPG Director, María Jesús Varela; The Director of International Relations, Javier Gomes, thanked the British colony living in Spain and whose efforts and cooperation had obtained large financial donations for the work carried out with guide dogs.
They also explained to the ambassador the different stages a dog goes through to become blind (breeding, socialization, training, and daily life). Currently, more than 1,000 guide dogs walk the community through cities and towns across Spain.
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