Flóra Kasztner and Akác have been living together in Szombathely for two years. We went to see them to get to know the versatile, interesting girl and her guide dog better. Since then, we can thank Flóra for one of our most striking dog sayings: “Before Akác, I represented gothic elegance. But black velvet and a yellow Labrador are not a good match.”

Flóra is originally from Kőszeg, and in her new place of residence she likes to go to concerts, which means that quite a few people know her and Akác in Vas County. After graduating, she did online communications work for a company, which ended at the beginning of this year, and she has been looking for a solution for her job ever since. When she visited us at the beginning of March, she was having a more relaxed day. We went out with her to the Szombathely Park with her dog trainer, Mónika Köbli, and the three student dogs that live with her. It soon became clear that Flóra and Móni understand each other very well, they have a friendly relationship, and they only have to go to the next street if they want to meet. “We hit it off with Móni right from the start, it’s not hard to like her,” said Flóra. They both have a good sense of humor, so the filming was like we were going to a party with them. A video was also made of this.

The beginning

Our foundation’s trainer, Mónika Köbli, recently moved from Körmend to Szombathely with her family. Their meeting with Flóra, another new resident of the city, was not an everyday occurrence. “I was working with one of the guide dog students near our house when someone called out for me. Well, I thought, how popular we would be here too, but I didn’t expect such an overwhelming enthusiasm. Flóra’s mother was the one who was completely surprised that a guide dog trainer was wandering around their neighborhood, so she quickly parked her car and ran after me. After our conversation, Flóra’s application form quickly arrived at the Baráthegyi Guide and Assistance Dog School Foundation. I read it and had the impression that I would meet a reserved high school girl. When I arrived at their place for our usual environmental study – which is why it is important that our dogs always end up in the right place – I was surprised that life brought me together with a very sensitive, but infinitely cool and good-humored young lady. I knew right away that Akác would be a great fit for Flóra. She is just so sensitive and kind, yet she is in on all the fun. It was obvious from the first time they met that I felt at ease. They started working together in fantastic harmony.”

They gave a legal order to the security guard 

Our clients confirm to us from time to time that our trainers make an informed decision when deciding what kind of dog to give them. This is important not only for the sake of working together, i.e. safe transportation, but also for the sake of a long-term harmonious relationship. Of course, everyone highlights something different from this, as Flóra puts it: “Akác can be just as crazy as I am. We can both get so involved in things, we do what we are doing with the same heart, but our calmness is also the same. We know nothing is impossible.”

And they really don’t get scared easily, as the following story proves. In a national chain store in Szombathely, the security guard didn’t want to let Flóra and her guide dog in, of course in a completely wrong way. Despite this, they went in, and after returning home, Flóra and her sister printed out the law on guide dogs, then went back and handed it to the security guard, laminated so that it would last a long time after being read.

Akác in the voting booth

During their work together, when they helped Akác and Flóra travel confidently, Móni was very satisfied with them:

“Flora cooperated with me in everything while I prepared them for the road safety exam. I fondly remember that, in addition to the serious work, we talked and laughed a lot together. To this day, I am happy when they join us for a run”

Of course, it’s no surprise when you hear such sentences:

Style is also important to Flora when it comes to dressing. “Before Akác, I represented gothic elegance. But black velvet and a yellow Labrador are not a good match.” (We’ll help you decipher the joke at the end of the article.)

Our guide dog team went to vote during the parliamentary elections, and some people say it’s memorable how they were shown around the voting booth: “There was a nice guy there who jokingly asked how much of a secret ballot it was with the dog half sticking out.”

Flóra’s path can lead you through the artwork

The arts are close to Flora, she loves writing and painting. It didn’t surprise us how she wants to conquer the world of music: “I’m going to learn to play the piano, and I’ll have a piano somewhere.” It’s no coincidence that she’s interested in the sound engineering profession, and as soon as she gets the chance, she’ll continue her studies in that field. She has another place to be found in the world of sounds: she goes to concerts at the Végállomás Klub in Szombathely, and anyone who stops by might meet her.

She showed us a few of her paintings, fortunately the avant-garde is eternal, but it wasn’t just the clean forms that stood out, but the fact that she paints at all as a visually impaired person and how vivid the colors are. This is related to the fact that she still has around 10% of her vision, which helps her a lot not only in painting, but in everything else as well.

We wish Flóra a good party and good luck. We thank her for her permission to publish one of her recent poems:

Raven

I saw a raven in my dream.

It reminded me of you.

It was dark like you.

It held a black rose in its beak.

It took care of it the way you took care of me.

When I was still important.

This year we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, we have provided 222 assistance dogs free of charge.

Please support their training with 1% of your personal income tax!

Our tax number for 1% donation: 18449149–1–05

Baráthegyi Guide and Assistance Dog School Foundation

If you provide your mailing address, we will also send you our guide dog calendar for next year in the thank you letter.

The easiest way to donate 1% of your personal income tax is through the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary (NTCA /NAV) online interface, via the customer portal.

Look at this picture of a crosswalk, and if you’ve looked around carefully, we ask you to support us with 1% of your personal income tax so that we can train as many guide dogs as possible.

(The promised solution: the yellow labrador fur doesn’t look good on the black dress – and the visually impaired owner doesn’t even notice it, while it catches the eye of others.)