Training Ahead - Assistance Dog Services

30/08/2026

🐾 Guide Dogs Open Clinic – Edinburgh 🐾

Have questions about Guide Dogs? Thinking about applying for a guide dog? Already have a guide dog and would like some advice or support?

Come along to our friendly drop-in clinic and meet a Guide Dog Mobility Specialist and a Dog Care and Welfare Specialist. Whether you're a guide dog owner, applicant, prospective applicant, or simply interested in learning more, we'd love to meet you.

📅 9 September 2026
⏰ 1:30pm to 3:30pm
☕ Free tea and coffee available
🦮 Equipment replacement available for guide dog owners
💬 Friendly advice and information about all things Guide Dogs
📍 RNIB Scotland, 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 5EA

No appointment needed, just drop in!

[Photo shows a yellow guide dog in training walking along the pavement in harness with a person dressed in black.]

27/08/2026

Proud of being part of the global Guide Dog Community!

🌍 The Power of a Global Guide Dog Community

When Kate and her guide dog, Bistro, relocated from the USA to Scotland to begin their studies, one simple email between IGDF member organisations ensured they had the support they needed from day one.

Guide Dogs UK’s Paco Villalvilla worked with Kate to help her confidently navigate her new campus, building on the excellent training she had already received from Guide Dogs for the Blind (USA). It was a practical example of something much bigger; the strength of the global IGDF network.

Across countries, cultures and organisations, our members share the same professional standards and commitment to supporting guide dog users wherever life takes them. Together, we help ensure that a change in location never means a loss of independence.

This story is a reminder that IGDF is more than standards and accreditation – it’s a worldwide community connected by a shared purpose: empowering guide dog users through collaboration, trust and expertise.

💙 Thank you to everyone involved in supporting Kate and Bistro on this exciting new chapter. ,

Find out more in the July 2026 Visionary (Ed 60): https://igdf.org.uk/visionary/

Image Description: Kate stands on the left beside her guide dog, a yellow labrador named Bistro. Paco stands to the right outside the historic stone façade of Newbattle Abbey College in Scotland.

27/06/2026

Coin retrieve without command.

04/06/2026

Why do I love my job? Seeing how a dog I’ve trained gives a person independence – I can’t put that feeling into words. I’m so lucky I can help people through my love of dogs.”

I'm honoured to be featured (alongside guide dog Del!) in Metro UK's Unsung Heroes series, raising awareness of my work at Guide Dogs.

Find out all about how our guide dogs navigate journeys working with a person with a vision impairment, what qualities make a good guide dog, and how you could get involved!

Link to article:

Paco helps people rebuild their lives

21/05/2026

What an incredible week of global collaboration at the IGDF conference in Yokohama! 🌏🐾
It was a privilege to connect with over 350 delegates from across the globe, all dedicated to advancing the standards and impactful work of guide dog organizations worldwide.
A personal highlight was running a specialized workshop for 30 IGDF assessors. Facilitating discussions with this highly skilled group on Consistency and Complex International Assessment was incredibly rewarding. The energy, shared expertise, and commitment in the room were inspiring.
Thank you to everyone who attended, shared insights, and contributed to making this event a success. Our global community is stronger when we learn together!
A special thank you to the Japan Guide Dog Association for being such wonderful hosts, and to the IGDF for organizing such a seamless and impactful event. 🤝🇯🇵
# GuideDogs

17/03/2026

09/02/2026

An exciting job opportunity to help change people's lives!

View details and apply for this Trainee Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (TVRS) vacancy in Glasgow. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, we will be hosting an open Q&A session on Monday the 9th of February at 6:00pm . This informal session will give you the chance to meet some o.....

29/01/2026

📢 We’re recruiting! Join Guide Dogs as a Trainee Vision Rehabilitation Specialist.

This role comes with a university qualification built into your traineeship and offers a chance to be involved in shaping the lives and needs of people with a vision impairment.

You will support people with orientation and mobility, technology, independent living, wellbeing and communication skills.

Your main working location will be Glasgow and the surrounding area, however travel across Scotland and the north of England should also be expected.

For more information, including details of our upcoming webinar about the role, please visit our website at the link below.

🖇️ https://tinyurl.com/TraineeVRS

The closing date for applications is Sunday 15 February.

[Image description: A Vision Rehabilitation Specialist is guiding a person with sight loss, who is learning to use a white cane.]

15/12/2025

Good to see Melody and Ferdinand as a well established partnership. Melody did her advanced training in Austria with us. Congratulations to Fair Trained for continuing supporting partnerships like this one.