Welcome to Paw Prints!

March 2026 Edition

In This Issue:

You’ve Changed Lives!

Your support has helped us to change the lives of many families. We are forever indebted to the Brood Stockholders, Puppy Raisers and Temporary Boarders who made these partnerships possible and provided a brighter future for our clients.

Suzanne King (Dublin) with Guide Dog Winston. Winston was puppy raised by Bernadette and Mike Barrett, and temporary boarded by Portia Gannon.
Ali McNabb (Dublin) with Guide Dog Vicky. Vicky's puppy raiser was Deirdre Fahy.
Maya Flynn (Dublin) qualified with Guide Dog Connie who was puppy raised by Olga Lambert.
Patricia McCarthy (Dublin) recently welcomed Guide Dog Buddy. Buddy was puppy raised by Tim O'Brien, temporary boarded by Sam Healy, Jennifer Morris, Caitriona O'Leary and Patrick Crowley, and home socialised by Steffi Edwin.
Assistance Dog owners Triona Dynesen, Amy O'Reagan and Jacqueline Twohig with Assistance Dogs Brodie, Casey and Betsy.
Also pictured are our amazing team - Trainer Abby Ring, Instructor Yoshi Tanaka, Trainer Grace Gurr and Instructor Shauna Drummond.
Community Dog Aria has settled in happily at Radharc na Mara Primary School in Galway with Claire McCarthy, Kevin Murphy and Principal Keith Joyce.

New Arrivals to our Training Centre!

Thanks to their Puppy Raisers, the following puppies are now in training:

Marcus - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Karen McGregor
Mitch - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Sinéad McConomy Cooper and Temporary Boarder Clare Murphy
Leco - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Ailish O'Reilly
Murphy - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Michael Ryan, and Temporary Boarders Niamh Daly and Eileen O'Mahony
Orlando - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Isabella Mulhall and Fr. Derek Ryan, and Temporary Boarder Liubomir Ptashinskii
Mattie - Thank you to Puppy Raiser Pedro & Nicola Quintero/Ryan, and Temporary Boarder Michael Loehr

"The dedication of my Guide Dog's Puppy Raiser has given me the gift of being able to walk my daughter to school. That's priceless.”

You can help make moments like this possible by fostering a puppy in your home and helping it grow into a life-changing Guide or Assistance Dog. You’ll receive full training and ongoing guidance 24/7 from your local Puppy Raising Supervisor, plus all food, veterinary care, and essential equipment. You can enjoy connecting with our friendly community of Puppy Raisers, as your love and time blossom into someone’s independence. And the great thing is the whole family can get involved. Open your heart and home and change a life today.

Ready to make a difference?

Make this Spring Life-Changing

As flowers bloom this season, you can help Guide Dogs, Assistance Dogs and Community Dogs grow their skills and provide life-changing support to people across Ireland. By becoming a regular donor, you’ll help train the next generation of remarkable dogs and support those who rely on them every day. Join us in celebrating 50 years—sign up today and help change lives.

Help Us Today

Image of an assistance dog walking with graphics of flowers and the words Make this Spring life-changing

New Litters!

B Litter - BIG Milestone

The first litter of our 50th year were born on February 7th, in Kerry under the watchful care of our wonderful Brood Dog Host Volunteers, Judi and John Pheysey and our dedicated breeding team. Proud mum Walnut welcomed eight healthy puppies into the world — five black and three golden - now known as the B Litter. Mum and pups are all doing extremely well. You can view some footage of the puppies here.

The A litter lying with Eadie on a navy rug

A Magical Ending - The A Litter

Our last litter at the end of 2025 was the A litter born on 16 December, with beautiful Agni and Aum being safely delivered to Brood Eadie. Sire is Ulk. Brood Dog Host Volunteer Martina Long did a wonderful job ensuring Eadie and her pups were safe and well.

Brood lying on a tiled floor with two pups

A New Beginning can Start in your Home!

We're looking for dedicated Breeding Dog Host volunteers in Cork, Clonmel, Waterford or Limerick.

Open your home by caring for one of our broods through pregnancy, birth and early weeks, helping create tomorrow’s guide and assistance dogs. You'll be fully trained and supported by our expert team every step of the way. All vet care and costs are covered — you simply offer a loving, safe home. Click here to find out more.

Announcements

Painting Cork Green in a Golden Year
Assistance Dog Programme - Applications open, 23 March
Paudie takes the Driving Seat

Record-breaking Volunteer

Emma Stewart-Liberty honoured

Our CEO Tim O'Mahony recently presented our amazing volunteer Emma Stewart-Liberty, with a special honour at our Training Centre in Cork, recognising her extraordinary commitment and lifelong dedication to the charity.

Driven by a deep love of dogs and a belief in their power to change lives, Emma began raising puppies in 2000 and has since opened her heart and home to more than 140 puppies, helping them take their very first steps on a journey that would go on to transform lives.

As Emma says, she truly “relishes” the role, finding immense joy and purpose in knowing that each puppy she supports may one day bring independence and confidence to someone in need.

Her commitment extends far beyond volunteering; Emma and her husband have chosen to include Irish Guide Dogs in their will, believing it “makes a lot of sense” to support a cause that has given them so much in return.

Tim presented Emma with a piece of crystal to mark the momentous occasion of the final litter she supported entering the first stages of their training journey to become life-changing guide, assistance or community dogs.

It was an emotional day for everyone involved, and we cannot thank Emma and her husband enough for their unwavering generosity, dedication and support.

Watch: Emma featured in a lovely video about her dedication to supporting our work

Emma and friend pictured holding two puppies

Emma pictured with Dog Breeding Manager Ruth Armstrong, CEO Tim O'Mahony, and Fundraising Lead Chris Bennett

Portrait of Mary which hangs in the Training Centre

The Women who Led the Way for Guide Dogs

Nearly a century ago, a remarkable movement began — one driven by vision, determination and a belief in the life-changing partnership between humans and dogs. Around the world, pioneering women recognised the extraordinary potential of guide dogs to unlock independence and transform lives, laying the foundations for the organisations we know today.

Among these trailblazers was Cork woman Mary Dunlop who, alongside Jim Dennehy, helped lead the way in establishing Irish Guide Dogs and shaping a legacy that continues to make a difference every day.

In this blog, volunteer Ann Ryan shines a light on the inspiring women who helped shape the guide dog movement — and whose impact is still felt today.

Read the full article here.

Shop. Support. Change a Life!

Snuggle Dog - Small

Apron

Front cover of 2026 Calendar with a yellow dog

Calendar 2026 - Now just €5!

A Puppy's First Jacket

Upcoming Events

Assistance Dog Keano sitting on grass with a young girl in a traditional irish dance costume

St. Patrick's Day Parade Cork

Cork - 17 March, 2026

Cork Marathon

Cork - 31 May, 2026

Dublin Marathon

Dublin - 25 October, 2026

Will you help us train more dogs to change the lives of more families in 2026?

Around the Country

Bernard and family pictured with IGD's Chris Bennett and Senator Victor Boyhan

Bernard Johnson Honoured

We were delighted to welcome volunteer and Guide Dog owner Bernard Johnson and his family to the Centre this month to mark his retirement. Bernard has been a passionate supporter over many years, drawing on his lived experience to raise awareness of our work through his involvement with our Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Branch. With his Guide Dogs Lexi and Kai, Bernard has been a familiar sight at events and collections such as golf outings, visits to Leinster House and pet blessings. Bernard, we wish you, Fionnula and Bryan the very best for the future, and you are always welcome to visit us at any time.

Boules, Paws & Fun

A pawsome thank you to Cabinteely Pétanque Club, whose Charity Boules Competition last weekend raised an incredible €1,047! With 20 teams taking part, it was a fantastic day enjoyed by all, helped along by some welcome sunshine. Many thanks to Brian Kavanagh (Secretary), Breda, and everyone involved in organising such a successful event, and for choosing us as their charity this year. A special thank you also goes to our amazing volunteers from our Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Branch and their wonderful canine companions who represented us on the day: Louise, Mick and Quest, Adele and Krunchie, Noreen and Ace, Mary and Milo, and Deirdre and Bruno. Your support truly makes a difference!

Guests at the dance standing with the Sam Maguire

Puppy Love in the Kingdom

Love was most definitely in the air at our wonderful Kingdom Branch's annual Valentine's Puppy Love Dance in Tralee. Guests included many volunteers, clients and supporters along with a number of four-legged friends too! Many thanks to Kerry Rose Laura Daly and the over 30 businesses who provided sponsorship. The night raised an incredible €4,500.