Big challenge for little dog

BEN WATSON

PUPPY LOVE: Sarah Drinkwater, 17, hopes Fintan will go on to become a great guide dog.

Don't be fooled by his innocent puppy eyes, this golden retriever has a serious job to do.

Guide dog puppy-in-training Fintan has been living with Sue Drinkwater and her daughter Sarah since April 21 when he was six weeks old.

Kristin School student Sarah volunteered to be a puppy walker for a school project. It takes about two years to fully train a guide dog including regular assessments to see how they are developing.

Sarah says she's having a lot of fun with Fintan in their Mairangi Bay home.

Puppies-in-training need to be socialised with many people in different situations, but long-term they need to be able to ignore people and concentrate on their work.

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind communications manager Kelly Hawkins says it's important not to distract guide dogs or puppies-in-training while they are working.

Sarah says it will be hard to give Fintan up but she knows he will go on to benefit someone.

"I'm happy that a blind person won't have to use a cane, they'll be more mobile with Fintan."

The RNZFB aims to breed about 110 puppies this year. Each dog costs over $22,500 to train and about 40 blind people are waiting for a guide dog.

- © Fairfax NZ News