Dogs had been around István Vati all his life, so he was very happy when Göncöl arrived. His life became completely different with Göncöl. Since then, they have been exploring Kaposvár together, where many people are fond of them.
Back to the roots
There are places where the stories of multiple generations come together.. For István Vati, Kaposvár is one such place: he was born here, his family members grew up here, and eight years ago, he moved back into a house that once stood on his grandparents’ property. In his childhood, the area was still surrounded by cornfields, while on the family homestead, chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats completed the rural idyll.
István is a true local patriot. He loves Kaposvár and the community in which he has been an active member his entire life. Human relations, conversations with friends, and social life remain important to him to this day. He is not the type to stay at home waiting for the day to pass; he likes being on the move, meeting up with acquaintances, and regularly visiting the office of the family business, which is now run by his son.
Perpetuum mobile
His grandfather worked as a sports officer, serving as a fencing master and boxing coach; he even taught his grandchildren how to ski. It is no wonder that sport became a defining part of István’s life. Tennis, skiing, sailing, golf, cycling—it is almost difficult to list all the sports he once did.
“I always considered sport to be the most important thing in my life,” he said. As it turned out, however, he would eventually have to adapt to a completely different set of challenges.
Letting go and moving on
Twenty-five years ago, he suffered a retinal detachment from a tennis accident, and he went blind in one eye. For a long time, he remained active—he even continued to play tennis. About ten years ago, his other eye suffered vascular damage, and his vision gradually deteriorated. Today, he can mostly perceive only light and shadow.
The most difficult period was when he still hoped for improvement. It took half a year for him to accept that he did not need to reclaim his old life, but rather to build a new one.
“Once I let go of this, from that point on, naturally, a different path lies before you.”
Moving on required structure, adaptability, and support.. While he had to say goodbye to many forms of sport, his need for physical activity and an active lifestyle remained—as did his love for dogs. This is how Göncöl, a guide dog, entered his life. Göncöl has become more than just a companion for getting around; he also helps him maintain an active life and preserve his deep connections to Kaposvár and its local community.
Sharing a path with Göncöl
During the preparation phase, a strong rapport quickly developed between István and Göncöl. Mónika Köbli—Göncöl’s trainer—played a key role in this; as they worked together, István not only learned a lot about the dog but also forged a close friendship with her.
“István has a great way with dogs; he established a bond with Göncöl easily, right from the very first moment. Their mutual love and respect forged a strong connection between them. This harmony—combined with plenty of practice—is what led to such a confident exam performance,” said Móni after the successful exam.
István and Göncöl have a routine to their lives. In the mornings, they set off by car for long walks, while the rest of the day might be filled with running errands, shopping, or visiting the workplace. As a former company executive, István doesn’t go in as often these days, but he remains involved in the business. Göncöl, meanwhile, is a welcome guest everywhere he goes: he makes the rounds at the office, collects greetings, and brightens everyone’s day.
A guide dog is not a magic wand that makes difficulties vanish in an instant. However, it can provide safety, companionship, new routines, and a sense of momentum. For István, it means a lot that, with Göncöl, he can continue to be an active participant in the hustle and bustle of the city.
“I was missing a dog in my life, and this brings me great joy now,” says István.
With Göncöl, not only has a four-legged companion entered his life, but a new kind of freedom as well. Their journey together is enriched by love, trust, and plenty of practice. And who knows—perhaps during their morning walks, their rounds at the workplace, or while meeting up with friends, a bit of the former athlete might just re-emerge: that same energy with which he always approached life.
Support opportunities
Every individual who contributes to the training of guide dogs through their support is important to us. We announce with great pleasure that even companies are making this decision now.
If you would like to take part in more guide dog couples starting their journeys together, then there are several ways you can support us.
Our central bank account number:
OTP Bank – 11734004-20466859
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