Kiss Barnabás has been through an emotional few days. The day before yesterday, he and his active guide dog, Tango, successfully passed their mobility and traffic safety assessment in Miskolc. Yesterday, however, his retired guide dog, Gyömbér, underwent surgery in Budapest after suffering a torn knee ligament.

Throughout the assessment, Tango worked confidently and attentively from start to finish. The pair began at Tisza Railway Station, traveled by tram to the city center, and then demonstrated their skills on the busy streets of Miskolc. Although they encountered a few unexpected situations, Tango remained calm every time.

“We got off to a rather difficult start. We were both nervous, and there were a few challenges,” Barna said.

“There was another dog that barked at us, but Tango completely ignored it. At one intersection, two young people shouted that the light was green, even though it was already flashing. In situations like that, I’d rather wait until I can clearly hear whether it’s actually safe to cross. After all these years, that’s simply become second nature.”

By the end of the assessment, however, all the nervousness had disappeared.

“Overall, Tango worked incredibly well, so in the end it was much easier than I had expected.”

For Barna, his guide dog is far more than just an assistant—he is an indispensable companion.

“Tango is my eyes and my sense of security. He does everything I ask of him.”

Outside of work, however, Tango shows a completely different side of his personality.

“He’s a little snowball. The moment I start petting him, he immediately flops onto his back. He’s a real clown—if someone bends down to greet him, there’s a very good chance they’ll get a kiss.”

Yesterday’s assessment was especially memorable for Tango’s trainer, Viktor Tóth, as this was the first guide dog team he had successfully prepared for certification.

“Tango was the first dog I trained, and Barnabás was my first client. It was an incredible learning experience.”

According to Viktor, Barnabás’s previous experience made working together much easier.

“Tango is Barnabás’s third guide dog, so they developed a strong bond very quickly. Tango adapted to his surroundings with remarkable speed, and Barnabás’s experience made the training process much smoother. Tango is an exceptionally intelligent and attentive dog, and he absolutely adores Barnabás.”

The joy of the successful assessment was soon followed by concern. While Barnabás and Tango were beginning a new chapter together, the family was worrying about Gyömbér, their retired guide dog. Gyömbér faithfully guided Barnabás for many years and even saved his life. Although now retired, he still lives with Barnabás. He and Tango get along wonderfully—they often play together and tease one another, yet they always share their home peacefully. Following his successful knee surgery, Gyömbér will need to take it easy for a while and will only be going on gentle walks. With the love and care of his owner and his canine companions, however, he is sure to be well supported throughout his recovery.

We warmly congratulate Barnabás and Tango on their successful assessment and wish Gyömbér a speedy and full recovery!