Guide puppies form 'guard of honour' before match

Rugby players were welcomed on to a pitch by "a guard of honour" formed of guide dog puppies as part of the animals' training event.

Gloucester-Hartpury teamed up with the Guide Dogs charity to welcome a group of puppies for a special pre-match appearance ahead of their match against Sale Sharks Women.

The young dogs, all in training to support blind and visually impaired people, visited Kingsholm Stadium as part of their socialisation development.

Zoe Aldcroft, Gloucester Hartpury co-captain and captain of England women's rugby team, said they were "proud to stand behind such an incredible cause".

She added: "The work they [the charity] does changes lives, helping people build confidence, independence, and connection through their amazing dogs.

The future guide dogs, which cost around £77,000 to breed, raise and train, were accompanied by volunteer puppy raisers from across Gloucestershire.

Saturday's event helped the dogs get used to large crowds and loud noises as part of their early socialisation training.

Among them was Sheila Ross, from Bristol, who attended with nine-month-old puppy Owain.

She said: "Many visually impaired people enjoy sports, so it is key puppies are trained to adapt to venues and crowds."

Genevieve Shore, executive chair of Premiership Women's Rugby, said guide dogs' work has a life-changing impact on hundreds of thousands of people living with a vision impairment.

"Seeing the puppies-in-training take their first steps in such a busy matchday environment is really special.

"As a league, we're proud to help shine a light on the incredible role volunteers and these future guide dogs play in supporting people with sight loss," she added.

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