Guide Dogs Cymru

It's Throwback Thursday, and we've been catching up with Jim Powell, who trained scores of dogs as a GDMI in Cardiff. He has happy memories of his time at Trevillian House, our very first Welsh training centre, in Cathedral Road. Jim shared a class photo from decades ago, which shows him standing behind three owners who are sitting with their dogs in harness. If you recognise them, or you have memories of Trevillian House, please comment below!

We had some special visitors to our training centre in Cardiff today! Black labrador Caro was delighted to welcome her puppy raisers, who travelled from Hampshire to watch her show off her skills. It's a proud moment for our volunteers when they see how the dog they nurtured has progressed, and Caro certainly didn't disappoint! Thank you to trainer Charlie Dale for the photo, which shows Caro lying on the floor of the training centre with the puppy raisers sitting on chairs behind her.

If you'd like to play a part in a guide dog's journey, puppy raising could be the ideal role for you. Find out if there's an opportunity in your area by visiting this link: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/puppy-raiser/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_campaign=RegionalComms_Q2_2026

Guide Dogs is about to mark 40 years of on-site training in Wales – and it’s amazing how we’ve grown! We launched our first Welsh centre in Cathedral Road in September 1986 with room for just six dogs. This summer, there will be five times that number training to be life-changers at our centre in St Mellons, with each dog needing a temporary home in the community with a volunteer fosterer.

Partnership Operations Manager Louise Freed said: "This summer will see a crossover between dogs at different stages of their life-changing journey. Some have just joined us from puppy raising, advancing into early training. Others are close to the final stage, ready to be matched with someone living with a vision impairment in Wales.

"We will soon be welcoming three new members of staff to the team as part of the Guide Dogs Academy. This involves training and developing new technical staff, the people who train our dogs, our clients, and then the partnership together."

This latest investment in staff will allow the centre to increase the number of dogs being trained, but it also brings a need for more local volunteers to help support the essential training the organisation provides.

Louise continued: "We are so grateful to our volunteer fosterers who open their homes and hearts to our dogs while they complete their training. We are currently seeking more households in the Cardiff area to get involved. Dogs can be dropped off at our training site on weekdays, a bit like doing the school run. On evenings and weekends, the dog enjoys time out from training sessions and can relax and have fun with the volunteer.

"Guide Dogs covers the cost of all the food, veterinary care and equipment required for each dog and provides full training and support. The best part of this role is you get to see the progress your furry companion is making and be a vital part of the dog’s journey, without the cost or commitment of looking after a dog full time."

If you think you could provide a loving, temporary home for a trainee guide dog, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/4cesjGt

Pic: team members outside our Cardiff centre this week with some of the dogs in training

It's Tongue Out Tuesday! Training dog Foster, a German Shepherd cross golden retriever, enjoyed some off-lead exercise recently with dog wellbeing technician Rhy Clarkson. He had a great time and has his tongue out in every photo!

If you'd love the companionship of a trainee guide dog like Foster in the evenings and at weekends, with none of the usual costs of pet ownership, please find out more by following this link: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering/volunteer-with-our-dogs/fosterer/?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_campaign=RegionalComms_Q2_2026

Pic 1: Foster sitting in a boat filled with sand
pic 2: Foster perched on a wooden table
pic 3: Foster lying on the grass