Guide dog in Inverness learns new tricks to carry on helping his master
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A man has proved that you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.
Inverness man John Long’s guide dog Freddie kept his master mobile for almost five years.
But when Mr Long developed a leg problem that left him only able to walk short distances, he feared his mobility would be severely curtailed.
A specialist from Edinburgh came to assess Mr Long (77) for a power wheelchair and noticed Freddie immediately latched on to leading the chair.
The former Navy man said: “Freddie is a really clever dog, and Guide Dogs Scotland agreed he had retraining potential.
“Wheelchair guide dogs are quite rare, with only 17 in the UK, but guide dogs retrained to be wheelchair guide dogs are unique.”
Mr Long and Freddie were soon learning their new role under Guide Dog Scotland’s expert trainers.
“Freddie quickly learned the new role such as recognising drop kerbs and when access is tight for the chair with parked cars – knowing to drop behind while I feel my way through,” Mr Long said.
And while Freddie’s “graduation” was almost scuppered by the Covid crisis – as he and Mr Long could not travel to East Kilbride for his final test during lockdown – daughter Zoe sent a video of her dad and Freddie going through their paces.
He performed admirably and was passed with flying colours.
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