Amanda Graney with Ayla, a 16-month-old pup in training to become a guide dog. Photo / Supplied
This pup is having a pretty good life so far.
Sixteen-month-old trainee guide dog Ayla goes for walks most days, visits cafes, the library, the supermarket, centres where there are children and has been to see Lego Movie 2 — she was the first dog at the opening of the new Event Cinema at Tauranga Crossing.
Ayla joined Katikati's Graney family — Chris, Amanda, and children Matthew and Emily — when she was nine weeks old.
The family, like many across the district, are puppy raisers for the Blind Foundation Guide Dogs.
The puppies stay with their foster families until they are 12 to 18 months old.
"We play a small but privileged part in the process of getting the puppy prepared for intensive guide dog training in Auckland," said Amanda Graney who can be seen regularly around town with Ayla, wearing her guide dog coat.
She said the labrador pup has a lovely gentle nature and can be patted only when she has her coat off.
"If you do see us in town please do not pat or talk to Ayla as she is working.
"These puppies when fully trained do an amazing job and will hold someone's life in their little paws."
Guide dogs act as the eyes for more than 200 Kiwis who have low or no vision so they can get around independently and with confidence.
I met Ayla when she was visiting Learning Adventures in Katikati.
The children were very excited when they saw the pup with her coat on.
Graney talked to the youngsters about the correct way to approach any dog on the street or at a friend's house.
"You must first ask permission from the owner of the dog, then put your hand in front of the dog's nose so they can smell what you," she said.
The children learnt that when Ayla was wearing her red jacket to say she was a guide dog, she was working and they were not to approach her as they may distract her.
"It is very important not to distract any service dog like Ayla as they work with blind people."
She said many service dogs have different coloured jackets and the same rules apply — do not approach when they are working.
"If the jacket is off then you can ask the owner and approach for a smell and a pat of the dog."
One of children got to experience being blind by closing her eyes and finding her way to the doorway.
She did fairly well although head teacher Angela Clayton said "a little peeking may have been inevitable".
Graney said the pups cost about $30,000 per year for the first two years of their life.
"I don't think any of the adults (teachers) realised just how much it really cost the Blind Foundation for guide dogs," Clayton said.
When she is working, Ayla is trained to walk past all dogs and she is not allowed to be taught tricks like "shake".
She has special food and is taught not to eat human food or tit-bits.
When Graney gave her a treat, she had to wait for the command that it was "okay" for her to eat it.
"Our children were astounded that Ayla could wait for her treat," Clayton said.
Then the children had a go, one at a time putting a treat on Ayla's paw and then they were able to command her to eat it.
Once the talk was over Graney took the young dog's jacket off so the children could pat her before she left to go home.
Clayton said the children and teachers learnt so much and know now that when they see Ayla working, "as tempting as it is to want to pat her she has to keep working and not be distracted".
Ayla also paid a visited to the Kea group in Katikati.
Spokesperson Caroline Casey said the Keas loved having her visit and were fascinated by everything they were taught.
They got to ask questions, give her a treat and a pat.
This is the second pup the Graneys have raised. Amanda said,
"It is hard not to get attached to the pups, but we volunteer to do it to help someone else," Amanda said.
LOCALS GET BEHIND GUIDE DOGS
Guide Dogs are not Government funded and rely solely on appeals like the Red Puppy Appeal and donations from the public.
Last year Amanda spent two months raising money for the Blind Foundation Guide Dogs with some excellent responses.
Many local businesses and individuals helped and sponsored the Guide Dogs in some way, — all helped to raise raising $2660.
She also took part in the ASB Auckland Marathon last November doing the 12km traverse over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. She said the weather played its part with no wind or rain.
"Only 4500 people to work your way around who were also doing the traverse!"
Amanda hopes to raise more this year. She has already had items donated from BeeNZ and the Bargain Box for another raffle this year. Matthew and Emily will also be taking part in the ASB Auckland Marathon — they aim to raise $1500 each.
Donations can be made online — search for — at Doing it for Ayla.