Queen braves the cold to meet pack of puppies in training to help disabled owners
THE QUEEN has met a pack of puppies in training to become faithful 'assistance dogs' for their disabled owners.
Queen meets guide dog puppies at charity in Sussex
She saw how the puppies learn the ropes from the age of eight weeks in a visit to Canine Partners in Heyshott near Midhurst, West Sussex.
The visit celebrates the charity's milestone of currently having 400 dogs looking after their disabled owners and helping them to lead more independent lives.
The Queen met staff and volunteers who act as adoptive parents for the puppies until they are around 14 months old and are able to embark on the next stage of assistance dog training.
There was a chance for her to hear first hand how the dogs have transformed the lives of disabled people across the country before she unveiled a plaque to mark their work.
The Queen visited Canine Partners in West Sussex to see how dogs are trained to help the disabled
The Queen stroked a dog while visiting the training centre in Midhurst
The Queen observed a demonstration by one of the dogs at Canine Partners charity
It is such an honour for us to welcome the Queen to our training centre in West Sussex
She was shown how the dogs learn to help their owners dress, empty washing machines, open doors and take money from cash machines.
She followed in the footsteps of Prince Harry who visited the centre in 2010.
Jackie Staunton, the Canine Partners' chairman of trustees, said the team was “incredibly excited for the visit,” adding: “It is such an honour for us to welcome the Queen to our training centre in West Sussex.”