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-kilometer charity tour with her guide dog. Their plan is to walk around Lake Balaton in ten days, raising awareness of the irreplaceable role of guide dogs. Gesztenye is already 11 years old, so due to her age she only completes shorter sections. She still joins them, while they make sure not to overexert her.

“On the fifth day, we really pushed our limits with the 30-kilometer stretch from Balatonfenyves to Keszthely. With that, we crossed the magical 100-kilometer mark, which we celebrated with a bit of joyful cheering. Our bodies are already feeling the strain, but from here we’re flying toward the finish! The weather started to improve, the sun grew stronger, so the sunglasses finally came out and we began shedding our winter layers. After the weather of the previous days, it truly felt like a gift,” said Erzsébet Borsodi.

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

This year, we celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, we have provided more than 200 guide dogs free of charge.

Please support their training by donating 1% of your income tax!

Tax ID for your 1% donation: 18449149–1–05
Baráthegy Guide Dog and Assistance Dog School Foundation

If you provide your mailing address, we will send you our guide dog calendar for next year along with a thank-you letter.

Donating 1% of your tax is easiest through the Hungarian tax authority’s (NAV) online platform via the client portal.

Upcoming program:

Departure at 9:00 a.m. from the railway station of the given town.

• Day 7 (April 3) – Balatonederics to Badacsonyörs (14 km)
• Day 8 (April 4) – Badacsonyörs to Zánka (16 km)
• Day 9 (April 5) – Zánka to Balatonfüred (20 km)
• Day 10 (April 6) – Balatonfüred to Balatonfűzfő (20 km)
  Closing event (Day 10): expected between 2–4 p.m.

Everyone interested is warmly invited to join for a bit of physical and mental refreshment along the springtime shores of Lake Balaton. The tour has already gained attention and was featured in Kisalföld as well.

Dogs with a mission

The Baráthegy Guide Dog and Assistance Dog School Foundation began its work twenty years ago. During this time, more than two hundred guide dogs have been provided to visually impaired individuals. In recent years, they have also trained personal assistance dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and therapy dogs.

One of their most important achievements is that guide dogs are always provided free of charge to those in need. They remain involved in the lives of the pairs, supporting safe mobility, covering major veterinary costs, and ensuring dignified retirement years for the dogs.

The training of guide dogs is made possible through donations from individuals and companies, as well as through the 1% tax contributions.

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—there are 47 individuals on the waiting list. According to their plans, around 30 puppies are born each year through their breeding program, some of whom will become guide dogs the following year.

How much does a guide dog cost?

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

A guide dog typically works for about 10 years. The total cost includes breeding dogs, breeding, puppy raising, health screenings, veterinary care, daily care, equipment, training (with labor costs of around 2 million HUF), handler training, placement, certification, long-term follow-up and care, replacement of equipment, increased veterinary costs in old age, retirement-related expenses, as well as overhead and transportation.

All together, this brings the total cost over ten years to more than 6 million HUF.