Dog guides priest to pulpit

Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Vision-impaired Auckland Anglican priest Mark Anderson reckons his guide dog Richie is a God-send.

"He works on command - turn right, turn left. He eats on command, he guides me to the pulpit," the 62-year-old says.

"Before, I had to be mindful of where I was. Now with him, I wouldn't be able to give him up."

The 2006 Guide Dog Appeal continues until tomorrow. The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind hopes to raise $945,000.

There are about 280 guide dogs working in New Zealand, and the foundation hopes to have 60 new ones trained this year. The service, which does not receive any Government funding, needs $22,500 to breed, raise and train each guide dog.