Red dogs racing for guide dogs

MEDIA RELEASE

May 4, 2012

Red dogs racing for guide dogs

The country’s fastest dogs are lining up to help out a special group of fellow four-legged friends during the next month as Greyhound Racing New Zealand joins forces with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) to support guide dogs in training.

Each time greyhounds racing in the traditional red rug (number one) win races at meetings nationwide throughout May and early June, GRNZ will donate $100 to the RNZFB’s Guide Dog Services.

The programme helps in the breeding, development and training of RNZFB guide dogs to assist blind and partially sighted people in leading independent lives.

The “Go the Red Dog!” campaign runs throughout May to June 3, with money raised to be presented by GRNZ to RNZFB ahead of country’s premier distance greyhound race, the Plaster Board Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar, at Manukau Stadium on June 10.

Up to eight dogs take part in each greyhound race, with coloured “rugs” assigned to each dog depending on their starting box number.

The dog starting from the number one box wears a red rug – the same colour as the coats worn by RNZFB puppies in training.

“The dog starting from the number one box has a bit of an advantage on the field,” said GRNZ Chairman John McArthur.

“With close to 40 meetings and more than 400 races to be run during the campaign, we’re hoping red dogs come through to win often and raise plenty of money for the RNZFB’s Guide Dog Services.”

RNZFB Head of Guide Dog Services, Paul Metcalf, said: “We are grateful to Greyhound Racing New Zealand for partnering with us on this excellent fundraising initiative. Funds raised will go to our programme for guide dogs, which ultimately provide independence, confidence and companionship to many blind and partially sighted New Zealanders. So our fingers, toes and paws are crossed for the red dogs!”

To get behind and contribute to the campaign go to www.everydayhero.co.nz/go_the_red_dog or http://www.theraces.co.nz/events/duke-of-edinburgh-silver-collar.

About RNZFB guide dogs:

· To become a guide dog, puppies train for two years, pass 55 different tests and walk many thousands of steps.

· There are around 240 RNZFB guide dogs and guide dog handlers (RNZFB members) in New Zealand.

· About 40 people are currently waiting for a guide dog. The average time spent waiting for a guide dog is 6-12 months.

· RNZFB Guide Dog Services is accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.

ENDS

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