On Saturday, an enthusiastic group set off from Balatonfűzfő. The organizer from Győr embarked on the 10-day, 200-kilometre journey together with her guide dog, Gesztenye. Their goal was to help our foundation train as many guide dogs as possible.

UPDATE: The team completing the trip around Lake Balaton reached the finish line in early April. We would like to sincerely thank them for raising a total of 700,000 HUF through their charity initiative to support the training of guide dogs. The donors included companies, private individuals, and two Lions Clubs. We are grateful to everyone who stood behind this noble cause.

The Győr team of the Patrónus Lions Club is collecting donations with the aim of enabling the Baráthegy Guide and Assistance Dog School Foundation to train more guide dogs. Participants in the “Patrónus Lions on the Balaton Camino Route” hike have faced rain and strong winds along the way.

The event organizer, Erzsébet Borsodi, set off on the 200-kilometre charity hike together with her guide dog.

“Our plan is to complete the circuit around Lake Balaton in ten days and, by doing so, raise awareness of the irreplaceable role guide dogs play in everyday life. Gesztenye is already 11 years old, so because of her age she only completes shorter sections of the route. She joined us on the first day and, as befits a true Labrador, enjoyed a swim in Lake Balaton. Yesterday she had a rest day, and at the end of the hike she happily ran up to me from the support car. She remains part of the journey, while we make sure she is not overtired.”

In addition to highlighting the indispensable role of guide dogs, we would also like to draw attention to the importance of maintaining good health. The Lions Club’s mobile screening unit is providing ophthalmological and other health screenings along the route of the Lake Balaton circuit.

Erzsébet, Gesztenye, and the entire team warmly welcome anyone who would like to join them, even for completing a shorter section of the route.

Dogs with a Mission

Twenty years ago, the Baráthegy Guide and Assistance Dog School Foundation began its work. Over two decades, we have provided more than two hundred guide dogs to visually impaired applicants. Additionally, in recent years, we have also been involved in training service dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and therapy dogs.

The most important achievement of these twenty years is that guide dogs are provided free of charge in every case to visually impaired applicants. The foundation takes part in the lives of the guide dog–handler pairs by supporting safe mobility, covering major veterinary expenses, and ensuring a dignified and comfortable retirement for the dogs.

The resources required for training guide dogs are provided through donations from private individuals and companies, as well as through supporters who donate 1% of their personal income tax.

How many guide dogs are needed?

There is a growing need for guide dogs in Hungary. Many people are currently waiting for a loyal companion through the foundation. At present, 47 individuals are on the waiting list. According to their plans, the foundation’s breeding program produces 30 puppies per year, some of whom may become guide dogs in the following year.

How much does a guide dog cost?

The total cost of a guide dog over its entire lifetime exceeds 6 million HUF.

The average working life of a guide dog is approximately 10 years, during which the total costs include: breeding dogs, breeding, puppy raising, screenings, veterinary care, daily care, equipment, training (with a training fee of 2 million HUF), handler training; placement, examinations, follow-up support and care over ten years, replacement of equipment, additional veterinary costs for aging dogs, retirement-related expenses, as well as operational costs such as utilities and vehicle use.

As a result, the total cost over ten years exceeds 6 million HUF.