A Richhill man has generously donated enough money to name a guide dog ‘puppy-in-training’ in memory of his own late guide dog, Imogen.
Leslie Downing kindly contributed the funds needed by Guide Dogs to put a puppy through its first year of training and has been following the pup’s journey so far.
Leslie is currently in partnership with Golden Retriever x Labrador Mindy since qualifying in December.
Puppy Immy is currently being raised by volunteer puppy raisers Daphne and Ricky, who brought the 11-month-old black Golden Retriever x Labrador along to meet Leslie. 
Puppy raisers open their homes to young pups like Immy for the first 12-14 months of their lives, teaching the basics, before the pup graduates to Advanced Training and is eventually matched to someone living with a vision impairment.
Fundraising Manager Gary Wilson said “Leslie has done an incredible thing by naming a guide dog puppy. We rely on donations to continue our life-changing work and to give this amount is simply wonderful and a fitting tribute to his previous guide dog Imogen.
“Every puppy named through Name a Puppy helps us reach the needs of more people living with sight loss in Northern Ireland. Name a Puppy is the perfect opportunity for an individual or organisation to give a guide dog puppy something unique and a lasting legacy: their name.”
The charity will also soon be holding an information day at Armagh City Library where members of the public can find out more and even meet some of these incredible puppies and dogs.
On Monday, October 28, from 11 am – 1 pm, the charity will hold a talk from a local guide dog owner to encourage new volunteers and sighted guides to ‘join the pack’ in perfect time for Guide Dogs Month. Booking details will be release soon.
If you’d like to name a puppy and leave a life-changing memory, email Gary.Wilson@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.
