Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Celebrates 50 Years of Changing Lives on Guide Dog Day, May 22

PRESS RELEASE

A guide dog can open a world once lost to sight. An assistance dog can bring calm, confidence, and freedom to a child with autism. For 50 years, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has changed thousands of lives. Friday, May 22nd, marks Guide Dog Day, sponsored by Park2Travel.

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is proud to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of providing life-changing services to people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism across Ireland. Since its foundation, the charity has transformed thousands of lives through the provision of expertly trained guide dogs and assistance dogs, empowering individuals with independence, confidence, and a greater quality of life.

Guide Dog Day, taking place on Friday, May 22nd, is a national moment to recognise the incredible impact of these dogs and the people behind them — from trainers and volunteers to the families and individuals whose lives are changed every day. However, demand for services continues to grow, and many people are still waiting for the support of a life-changing dog.

Proudly sponsored by Park2Travel, this year’s Guide Dog Day campaign calls on the public to support the next generation of partnerships. Donations will directly fund the breeding, training, and placement of guide and assistance dogs, helping to ensure that more people can experience the independence and support these animals provide.

Members of the public are encouraged to get involved by donating at nationwide collections or online at www.GuideDogs.ie. Every contribution, big or small, helps to change lives.

Guide Dog owner Dr. Patricia McCarthy explains how her life has changed:

“Retiring my first guide dog, Gaston, after almost six years was an incredibly difficult decision, but I knew it was the right one for him. Gaston changed my life in so many ways, giving me independence, confidence and companionship, and I will always be grateful for the impact he has had on my life. While saying goodbye to him as my working guide dog was emotional, I was comforted knowing he has gone to a loving home with people he knows well.

Meeting my new Guide Dog Buddy recently marked the beginning of a new chapter for me. The transition has been challenging at times, but also deeply rewarding. Buddy has already brought so much joy and energy into my life — he’s confident, loves busy environments, and has quickly become a familiar face around my workplace, Trinity College. I’m really looking forward to continuing to build our partnership over the coming months and to all the adventures that lie ahead together.”

Tim O’Mahony, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said, “Guide Dog Day is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact our dogs have had over the past 50 years. In that time, we have delivered over 2,000 successful guide, assistance and community dog partnerships, each one representing independence, confidence, and new possibilities for the people, families and communities we support. We are deeply grateful to Park2Travel for their generous support of this year’s campaign, helping us reach even more people in need. As we celebrate our historic milestone, we’re also looking to the future—because the demand for our services continues to grow, and with the public’s support, we can ensure that even more people across Ireland experience the freedom and companionship our remarkable dogs provide.”

Neil Cunningham, Managing Director of Park2Travel said, “Park2Travel is delighted to partner with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as they celebrate 50 years of changing lives through their guide, assistance, and community dog services. We’re aiming to raise €50,000 to help train a life-changing dog, supporting greater independence and mobility for those who need it most. From now until the end of June, we’ll donate €1 for every booking made at our Dublin Airport car park, allowing customers to make a meaningful difference with every journey. Customers can also enjoy a 15% discount by using the promo code IGD50 when making their booking at Park2Travel.ie.”