Millions of forints worth of donation to the Hungarian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted

In the best-equipped small animal clinic in the region, guide dogs will receive treatment in the future. The charitable offer from the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest is a significant help for companion animals, owners, and the Hungarian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, as the Guide Dog Training Center only provides basic care. Prevention and professional and prompt treatment is of paramount importance and social interest in the case of guide dogs, which are considered working dogs.

Guide dogs assisting blind and visually impaired individuals receive the best available care free of charge at the Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest. The veterinary institution is the most modern and well-equipped clinic in Central Europe, renowned for diagnostic examinations, laboratory facilities, and surgical interventions. “The community of the University acted as one and supported this charitable initiative,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Péter Sótonyi, Rector, as a guest on the closing day of the public media’s “Being Good Is Good!” campaign.

Guide dogs are among the best in terms of their genetic predispositions, thanks to their complex training, they are extremely disciplined, and their nervous system is exceptionally good. Their training begins at eight weeks of age in a family environment to familiarize them with various stimuli. After this, they are transferred to the Guide Dog Training Center in Csepel, operated by the Hungarian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, where they receive further training for an additional six months. As they are officially recognized as working dogs and are, in the strictest sense, companion animals that determine the quality of life, their professional and prompt care is of collective interest. In Hungary, over 100 such dogs assist blind and visually impaired individuals, and all owners of these companion animals are members of the Hungarian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted.

“It is expected from owners to take their dogs to the veterinarian for at least biannual check-ups, screening, and general health assessments, as overbreeding can also cause breed-specific diseases in their case, and timely recognition and treatment of these conditions are crucial,” emphasized Dr. Mónika Nagyné Berke, Service Manager of the Hungarian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (MVGYOSZ), who also has personal experience in guide dog care. At the Guide Dog Training Center, the dogs receive basic care, but there is no opportunity for specialized interventions requiring specific expertise and equipment. “At the Small Animal Clinic of the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, however, everything is available for the highest quality care, so the donation is a great help to the companion animals, owners, and the Association,” expressed gratitude for the University’s collaboration, the Service Manager of MVGYOSZ.