Transition Year Programme

At Irish Guide Dogs, we believe the students who participate in our Transition Year (TY) Programme are potential future members of our community of Staff, Puppy Raisers, Temporary Boarders and Community Volunteers.

With this in mind, we have developed an interactive programme which aims to inspire students to consider a career with us or to support our work raising awareness and funds so they too can make a difference to others and change lives!

The dates for our 2026/27 programme will be announced in the summer.

At the end of the week, each student will have a greater understanding of:

• the welfare of our dogs and what that entails;
• the services and support we provide to our Clients;
• the Technical training and what that involves;
• the structure, governance, funding and running of a charity; and
• how to undertake a fundraising event.

Programme Schedule

Day 1 – Dogs

Meet our Dog Care and Welfare team who manage the care of our training dogs and look after all dogs onsite in our Training Centre kennels.

Find out about our Volunteers who care for our pups in the first weeks of their lives.

Day 2 – Clients

Hear from our Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners as they explain how their lives have changed since receiving their dog.

Day 3 – Training

How does a Guide Dog keep their owner safe from cars, walking on to a road or walking into people or objects? Our trainers will explain how they train our dogs, how they decide which dogs will make the grade, and critically how they match the right dog to the right person to give each partnership the best chance of success.

Day 4 – Resources

It costs over €5 million to run our organisation each year and 85% is dependent on the generosity of the public.

Our Fundraising team will explain how they work with our network of nationwide Branches to raise awareness and fundraise through various events and activities.

Day 5 – Visit our Training Centre

At the end of the week, you have the option of visiting our Training Centre in Cork. Spaces are limited therefore numbers would need to be confirmed when booking a slot in our TY Programme.