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A new canine companion is turning heads at Manukau Campus. Trainee guide dog Ivana is coming to work with its volunteer boarder, Placement Specialist Maylin Coordes. Maylin takes the black labrador wherever she goes to prepare the pooch for life as a second set of eyes for a visually impaired handler.
Ivana, 16 months, has finished basic puppy training and will soon begin intensive training to become a fully-fledged guide dog. The canine is staying with Maylin for nearly three weeks due to a kennel cough outbreak at the Training Kennels at Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs, in Manurewa. The infectious disease affects dogs’ respiratory systems. “They can’t have new dogs coming in until it’s been sorted,” she says.
Maylin has been a volunteer dog boarder for more than 10 years. “I don’t get money. I get cuddles.” But Blind Low Vision NZ provides dog food, bedding, and Ivana’s lead, she says. “I have no expenses- just the joy.” She was drawn to the role by a love of dogs and former connections with Blind Low Vision NZ. “There was the motivation of giving back and doing my part.” Maylin used to work for Aviation Security as an on-job trainer and assistant team leader. Part of the training involved visits from representatives of Blind Low Vision NZ. “They talked to my students about what a blind person needs in the tourism industry, especially at the airport and on board the aircraft. They would bring in a guide dog to show them.”
