THIS German Shepherd pup will be taking time off her training schedule to enjoy her first Christmas in Bridgwater.

Adele is learning how to be a Guide Dog for the Blind and is the 17th dog that puppy walker Claire Mahoney has helped to prepare for their crucial roles.

Claire welcomed Adele into her home earlier this year and has spent the last six months training her and teaching her obedience and commands, while in the home and out and about.

Part of her volunteer role is to give the puppy a range of experiences, including an introduction to the sights and sounds that she will encounter as a working Guide Dog.

This is the only Christmas that Clare will get to spend with Adele, as the Guide Dogs charity hopes next year that Adele will be making a real difference to someone’s life over the festive period.

Claire said: “I am so pleased to be puppy walking Adele for Guide Dogs, and although I will miss her next year, I will be happy in the knowledge that she made a difference to a blind or partiallysighted person.

“I am positive that Adele will make Christmas shopping for the perfect gifts that bit easier, and also help her new owner to get to their Christmas celebrations and to spend time with family and friends.”

Claire has been a volunteer puppy walker for Guide Dogs since 1999 and she has pictures of all the dogs she has trained.

Some of the Guide Dog owners who have received her dogs keep in touch, sending photos and Christmas cards.

Claire has also provided a home for a retired guide dog and all her family gets involved in exercising the dogs and caring for them.

Clare enjoys having the dogs as part of her family but her main motivation for being a puppy walker is knowing that the dogs she trains will make a difference to the lives of people who are blind and partially-sighted.

The Bridgwater Guide Dogs support group is on the look-out for volunteers to become puppy walkers, and to help it raise funds to breed, train and support dogs.

It is also running a Name A Puppy scheme which allows people to name a guide dog pup, track its progress and meet it.

For more information contact Guide Dogs on 0845 3727407 or check out www.guidedogs.org.uk