DJA fully sponsor the raising of a guide dog puppy from birth to handover to a blind or special needs recipient. See all the puppies we have sponsored below.
Information from SA Guide Dogs
We breed all our own dogs from specially selected stock and these pups are then raised by ‘Puppy Walkers’ until they are 12 to 14 months of age. They then commence their training.
The formal training takes approximately 6 months, with the dog having up to three 40 minute training sessions a day. At the end of the formal training period the dog is very carefully matched to a blind person who has been on our waiting list. Some of the puppies are allocated to our service dog program who assist people in wheelchairs, or people that are physically or developmentally challenged that meet the service dog criteria.
Classes of between 4 and 6 ‘students’ then come to our Training Centre for a 3 to 4 week period while they are trained in all aspects of guiding, handling and care of the dog. Each student is then accompanied home by a trainer for a further week to 10 day aftercare period where intensive individual training is given in the visually impaired persons home environment. We train on average 55 guide, service and social dogs every year.
We do not receive any form of Government assistance, and all our funds are raised from the public by way of donations and the wonderful support from corporates such as DJA Aviation.
2017 SPONSORED PUPPY – OMO
 Mom Faith caring for her future guide dog children |
 Sponsorship for 2017 |
 2017 Puppy – OMO |
2016 SPONSORED PUPPY – ZEKE
 First time meeting his new sponsors |
 Overwhelmed by all the love |
 Endless treats |
 More please |
 Zeke relaxing after working day |
 I’m exhausted…… |
 Zeke is now well on his way to becoming a service dog |
 Sleeping off dinner |
2015 SPONSORED PUPPY – KENOBI
 Our first picture of Kenobi |
 Making new friends Jan 2015 |
 Cant get enough hugs |
 I just want to run |
 Who can resist |
 Cheque from DJA for Kenobi sponsorship |
 Doing his Canine Good Citizen Test |
 Passing with flying colours |
2014 SPONSORED PUPPY – TENILLE
 2014 Sponsored Puppy “TENILLE” |
 TENILLE Visiting DJA In January |
 Exhausted after day with new friends |
 DENNIS JANKELOW handing cheque over to PIETER VAN NIEKERK marketing manager SA GUIDE DOGS |
 July 2014 growing up quickly |
 Re-connecting with my friends |
 Listening carefully |
 Learning to retreive |
