The Secret World of Guide Dogs with Martin Clunes

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] -Whoa.

Whoa.

[ Chuckles ] [ Package crinkling ] Oh, yeah.

Doc Martin, the character I played for 18 years, hated dogs.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

In real life, I like them so much, I've got four.

Having a dog as your company works for me.

Just watching them interact.

Everybody -- Sit, Penny.

Penny.

[ Clicks tongue ] Jimmy's a bit tough to sit.

I kind of dig it when two species come together and share their ambitions.

It's great.

Now, do you want to go out there?

[ Dogs barking ] Yeah?

[ Dog growls ] [ Chuckles ] That was quite tame.

But that bond reaches a whole new level with guide dogs and their visually impaired owners.

There are around 4,000 of those partnerships in the UK alone.

-Hey, pup.

-I've applied to adopt a retiring guide dog called Laura... -Good girl.

-...and in preparation, I've been getting to know her remarkable owner, Jaina.

-How are you?

-I'm grand!

How are you?

-Good to see you.

Very well, actually.

-Hey, Laura!

Laura!

This is Jaina's search for a new canine companion.

-Oh, no licking me.

-But it's also my chance to discover the secret world of the guide dog... What you up to, girl, eh?

...how they became such clever... Pay attention, Pat.

...reliable partners... And these are good for your soul, aren't they?

...and how they change so many lives for the better.

-Good boy.

[ Dog barks ] -I always thought I knew about guide dogs.

Then something set me off down a road of discovery.

Last year, I was listening to this program on the radio called "Life Changing," and there was a young woman, having lost her sight, getting together with a guide dog.

But now the guide dog was 11 and had to retire.

So I just e-mailed the radio program and said, "Well, we could give that dog a nice retirement."

One thing led to another, and, well, here we are.

-She likes Laura.

-That young woman was Jaina Mistry and her dog, a black Labrador retriever cross called Laura.

-She loves to be the first one to say hello to everyone at the door.

-She does.

-Every time.

-At the age of 17, a rare allergic reaction to penicillin cost Jaina her sight.

-No.

-Come on.

-After overcoming a fear of dogs, Jaina had her first trial walk with Laura.

-Yeah.

She's a bit shy today.

-She's a bit shy.

She's not normally shy.

I was a little bit nervous around her at first.

I didn't know what to expect.

And then we did a walk around the block, the route that I'd been doing with my cane for so long, and it just blew my mind.

She flew around the block so quickly, avoided obstacles, and it's the most free I'd ever felt in my life.

-With the freedom that Laura brought her, Jaina became the first blind woman in Britain to qualify as a fitness instructor.

[ Applause ] Together, Jaina and Laura have won many awards.

But there comes a point when every aging guide dog must retire -- for their own health and welfare.

When Laura retired 18 months ago, Jaina lost a lot of her freedom.

-When your dog retires, you kind of go through a little phase of almost grieving for your independence 'cause you've gotten so used to being able to go for walk with your dog, and that all suddenly stops.

[ Dog barking ] -[ Barks -Hi, Jaina!

-Hello!

-And hello, Laura!

-Hi, Martin.

How are you?

She's very excited to see you.

[ Both laugh ] -How are you?

I'm coming in for a kiss.

-Yes.

Come in.

Come in.

Come in.

Good to see you.

[ Dog barks ] -Do you want a kiss as well, Laura?

-Good girl.

Good girl.

[ Down-tempo music plays ] [ Birds squawking, chirping ] -Like hundreds of other Brits with sight loss, Jaina is on a waiting list for a new guide dog, a wait that's been made longer by COVID delays.

In the meantime, Laura still needs her walks.

But ultimately, Jaina won't be able to manage both dogs at once.

-[ Laughs ] -Has your relationship with her changed since she stopped working?

-I think it's grown stronger.

-Has it?

More of a friendship?

-I believe so, yeah.

We've grown much, much closer.

We're all not talking about the moment where you have to say -- when you have to leave her with us, aren't we?

-Yeah.

-It's gonna be really difficult.

-Oh, yeah.

'Cause the bond is so strong that we have.

With Laura being my first dog, she'll always be my number one.

-In 1931, Britain's first-ever guide dogs, Flash, Folly, Meta, and Judy, were trialed by four blind World War I veterans.

Within a few years, this quirky experiment had grown into Britain's best-loved charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ] Today, the charity has a finely tuned system designed to produce the best possible results.

-Martin!

Hello.

Caroline.

-Hi.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you, too.

-Come on in.

-Thank you.

-Come and meet Georgie and the puppies.

-Oh, boy!

And it all begins at birth.

This litter of nine pups was produced just a week ago by Georgie, another Labrador retriever cross.

Don't get up, sweetheart.

Oh, look, they're all having a drink.

Hi.

Hello, sweetheart.

Look.

They're not like this for long, are they?

-They're not, no, not too long.

[ Both laugh ] -When do their eyes open?

-Oh, their eyes will probably open in another week.

-Right.

Tim Bloomfield is a breeding dog advisor.

Also known as a puppy midwife.

-Oh, don't they smell nice.

-New puppy smell, Martin.

-Mmm.

[ Both chuckle ] He makes sure the first few weeks go smoothly.

Hello, little puppy.

So how many of these are you dealing with a week?

How many... You know, er, are they popping out all the time?

-They are, Martin, yeah.

Each of our supervisors have probably got five or six litters on the go at each -- at any one time.

It's enough to keep your hands full.

-Yeah, well, what a nice gig.

-It is a lovely job, it is a lovely job.

There's definitely worse jobs Martin.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

Volunteer Caroline Clifton keeps both the brood mum and the pups in her house so they're familiarized with a home environment.

-My son Harry and I, we helped to deliver -- deliver all these puppies.

And it was incredible.

Incredible experience.

-Magical, isn't it?

-Very magical.

-Oh, good luck little guide dog.

[ Laughs ] Actually, wow, yeah, if you think -- think of all the lives that can be changed right here.

With a helping hand from me, each pup must be given the once over... Hello, poppet.

...to make sure their health is good.

-Pop him on there, nearly 800 grams.

-Their tiny nails are clipped so they don't scratch their mother.

-See those little white tips there?

-Yeah.

-Take the ends off.

-There he is.

There's your little dingbat.

-That's good.

There you go.

-Oh, she's a bit lighter.

-She's the last born.

-Is she?

-Yeah, last born.

I called her Hope, because she just didn't breathe for, it felt like minutes.

I was really rubbing her.

-Were you?

-Georgie was licking her and then suddenly she just started... -You got her going.

-...squeaking.

And she's just such a little feisty girl.

A real fighter.

So she's my favorite.

-Well, all their bellies are full.

They'll go and sleep that off.

[ Chuckles ] They'll spend eight weeks together as a litter before they're rehomed for the next stage.

[ Puppy squeaks ] -It must be so nice being part of a litter, don't you think?

-Yeah.

-When you're warm and furry yourself just to... -Cuddle up... -cuddle up, nuzzle in, roll around.

I should have been a dog.

[ Laughter ] -What dog would you've been?

-One of those I think.

-Yeah!

[ Laughter ] On an icy day in Leamington Spa, the charity has lined up some newly-trained dogs for Jaina to try out.

-Right.

You ready?

You feel okay?

-We are ready.

-Okay, when we're ready.

-The first is a 21-month-old Labrador called Pat with her trainer Nicola.

-Forward.

That's it.

And then, "Good girl."

-Good girl.

-Lovely.

Then she moves back into the right, just around a tree.

So, have a little shake.

Good girl.

-Okay.

-With the shakes, do you just let the dog have a shake?

-Yeah.

And it's a little bit of an anxiety release.

So that's what we want them to do.

It's like shake it off.

"I feel a little bit anxious, but I've gotta shake things off."

Now, we'll get her to find a Pelican crossing for you as well.

-Right, and the button.

-So when you're ready.

-Right, good girl.

-And she's off.

Now, you'll feel...

This is hard work for Jaina.

Not only assessing Pat's suitability... -Button!

-...but also learning more up to date training methods than she's used to.

-Yeah, just bring that down, there we go.

So what we're doing is... -Oh, right!

...the treat comes from the thing you want the dog to find.

-Oh!

-And that's where the dog thinks it comes from.

-That makes sense.

-Trying to give that impression.

That's good.

-Good girl.

-Next challenge, to find a post box.

-Post!

-Post!

Ah.

-Yeah, that's brilliant.

That's lovely.

-Yep!

-And really give her a fuss.

-Well done!

-So, that's a word cue you're using... -Yes.

-...for Pat?

-But we teach the behavior without the cue first.

So you get a response and then attach a word to the response?

-Yes.

And that's what we say... -[ Laughs ] -...will the dog do the behavior?

If you would risk a 100 quid, cos you're so certain the dog will do it, then attach that word to what you want... -Oh, my Gosh!

Wow!

-...then that's what we say.

-The second dog's another black Lab, 19-month-old Ken.

-He's got a bigger head.

-He has!

And he's a bit stronger.

-Nice.

Ready and forward.

-Forward!

-Getting the right pace is crucial.

-So he might be a little bit quicker.

-Dog number three is Kath, a 22-month Lab retriever cross.

-Oh, wow, look at you!

-[ Chuckles ] She likes you.

Hello, sweetie.

Hello, sweetie!

-Oh, my gosh!

Oh, yeah, she does feel quite different.

I know.

-No licking, please.

Are you licking my face?

[ Laughter ] -You can slide your right foot back.

-Kath's trainer is Emma.

-Give her the word "forward".

-Forward!

-Good girl.

Okay to say, "Good girl."

-Good girl.

-That's it.

How's that feeling?

-Yeah, good pace.

-Yeah?

We're now back at the van, so you could just ask her to "stand".

-Stand.

-It's fine.

Good.

-That was... How was Kath, Jaina?

-She was lovely, actually.

She reminds me of Laura.

-She what?

-She reminds me of Laura.

-Stop saying that.

[ Laughter ] So different -- different to Ken and Pat?

-I would say so, like, she's much longer in the body.

-Mm.

-Her walk pace is different.

And just something felt different, like, more relaxed with her.

-Oh, wow!

-Yeah, very much so.

-Hey, how about that!

Very, very, clever.

[ Laughter ] -Okay, I'll give you the leads.

-Thank you very much.

Thank you, cheers.

-Bye.

Next!

There are two more dogs for Jaina to try.

Sally, a 22-month-old golden retriever Labrador cross... -Good girl.

Good girl, Sally.

Yeah, she goes a little quicker than, um, Kath.

-Yeah.

-So, yeah, and... -...and 17-month-old yellow Lab called Mr. D'Arcy.

-Forward.

Good boy.

Good, good boy.

-She must be exhausted.

Just -- just, er...

I can't -- I can't imagine what it is to sort of mentally hand yourself over to this animal with so much at stake cos it means so much to her, her independence.

But anyway, she's gonna get a dog.

[ Laughs ] That's the happy ending.

It's win-win.

Just which one?

How was that?

It was a bit F1 coming down there, wasn't it?

-He was taking me for a walk!

[ Laughter ] He was quite quick, yes.

-Was he?

Doesn't make him a bad dog, though, does it?

It's all about being the right dog.

-Exactly.

That's -- that's the thing.

He's, um, might not be the right dog for you, but I'm sure there'll be a client out there that will be the right match for him.

-Yeah.

-So, overall, a brilliant day.

Good experience for me.

-Brilliant day, yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And potentially a new dog!

-Fingers and paws crossed.

-Fingers and paws crossed.

That's the link.

[ Laughter ] Blind fitness guru Jaina Mistry has been waiting nearly two years for a new guide dog.

When her first dog, Laura, retired aged 11, Jaina lost much of her independence.

Here we go.

She's here.

-Exciting!

Now, at last, it seems she may have found a good match.

-Hi.

-Hi, Emma.

[ Gasps ] Hello!

Trainer Emma has brought Kath for a trial home visit.

At 22 months, Kath has far more energy than elderly Laura.

-Good girl.

-Oh, what's it like, Jaina?

-Aww!

-Two dogs.

-It's lovely having both.

They're very lovely together.

-Sadly, Jaina just can't meet the different needs of both dogs at once.

For me, it was a personal decision to have to rehome Laura, 'cause I just didn't think it would be fair.

-No, I think that's it.

You know, you're doing it for the right reasons, aren't you, when they go to someone else's?

Because you know they deserve that retirement.

She really deserves it.

She's been an amazing guide dog for me.

Just truly remarkable.

And you're going to the best home!

If only Martin could adopt me, too.

-[ Laughter ] -Claridge's for dogs.

-Yeah.

-You're gonna have a wonderful time.

-If the training with Kath goes well, Jaina will have no option but to hand Laura over to me.

-You're a good girl.

-Wow!

But first, at the charity's national center, in Leamington Spa, I want to learn exactly what goes into making a good guide dog.

-So, in here, we have a team of reproduction technicians, who help us produce some really happy and healthy puppies.

-Oh, now.

-Hiya.

Of all the puppies trained by the charity, only around 60% go on to qualify as guide dogs.

To improve that rate, the science team analyze dog DNA for clues to their success.

Though, as Dr. Helen Whiteside explains, there's actually a complex mixture of factors involved.

-So, with our dogs here at the breeding program, what we want to do is produce dogs with the best possible potential of being a guide dog, and that's linked to the genes that they inherit from mom and dad.

And then, actually, as well, training.

So that mixed together is what you get at the end with that wonderful guide dog.

-Right.

-And then, actually, there's another layer.

So, there's the person and the dog and how we match those together.

So right dog, right time, right place.

And there is a whole bunch of science that sits underneath all of that.

-So, with all this science, will there come a time when you can say, "Here on this slide -- that's what's causing anxiety in a dog"?

-In certain health conditions, we absolutely do have DNA tests.

In terms of behavior, it is a lot more complicated, because that nature versus nurture is very complex.

But here at Guide Dogs, we're hoping to really understand, what is it that's inherited, so what is it from their genes, but then what is it that is learnt in their environment?

But for us, it's really important that we share the findings that we have with the rest of dogdom for the benefit of dogs everywhere.

-Ah, right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And then, at the end of the day, you go, "You're a very good dog."

-Yes!

-[ Both laugh ] -Which is all any of us wants to say, isn't it?

-They're all good dogs.

-As well as studying puppy genetics, the science team conducts behavior tests to find out exactly how puppy intelligence develops.

Becky Hunt, one of team's researchers, is bringing in a lively, inquisitive Pat.

Oh, hello, Pat.

-Because we're all kind of in here, and it's a bit new for him.

-Hello, sweetheart.

-Hello!

Hello, sweetie!

-How old is Pat?

-He's about 7 1/2, nearly 8 weeks.

-Don't you think puppies' breath smells of leeks, raw leeks?

-Leeks?

I mean, I'd never thought that, but... [ Laughs ] -Every puppy's breath smells of raw leeks.

[ Snorts ] -So, we're gonna look at the puppy... -It's important to know how well Pat responds to humans.

...task that we put in front of him.

Puppy!

Pup!

Good boy.

Get that.

Good boy.

Okey-doke.

So, now I will say the phrase that we do.

Hi, pup!

Are you a good puppy?

Yes, you are!

Look how cute you are!

[ Barks ] With those big eyes and floppy ears!

-[ Laughs ] -You're such a cute puppy!

So, essentially, we're interested in how they -- -But he did respond to that -- to your enthusiasm.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Oh, Pat!

[ Laughs ] Oh, Pat!

Pat, you're such a nice little puppy!

You're so lovely!

Pat!

Ooh!

Ooh!

[ Chuckles ] Next, we check his sense of smell... Pay attention, Pat.

Mm-hmm.

Okay?

...and how keen he is to find a treat.

Straight to the kibble.

-Yeah.

He's a clever one.

-So, that smell -- he's getting that.

-Yeah.

So, we're looking at his smell, 'cause they look the same to him, they are the same.

One's just got food in and one hasn't.

-Finally, a brain-teaser for Pat to solve.

-Puppy, look!

Okay.

-First, he's shown a treat.

-Good boy!

There we go!

Good lad!

So then, if we do start again, but don't let him go until I say, "Okay."

Puppy, look!

Okay!

-Oh, Pat, you really let yourself down there, lad.

[ Laughs ] Oh!

-He's worked it out.

-There you go.

-So, this is actually really good, because he's worked it out himself.

For them to be able to work out a problem like that is great.

-He's a genius.

You're a genius, Pat.

-Normally, it takes probably four or five times to get it.

Puppy, look!

Okay!

-Oh, come on.

-Second time, straight in.

-He's smashed it!

-So, yeah, he's got it.

-This will go on Pat's report card, how he's done with this test?

-Yes.

Essentially, because they're still so young, we're gonna follow these puppies through till they get their end result, probably around 18 months, -two years of age... -Sure.

-and we're gonna see if there are any links then between the behaviors they show here and if they make it as a guide dog.

-I've got every confidence in Pat.

There's one more vital experience for the puppies while they're still together as a litter -- exploring the world around them.

-They just get to experience lots of different things to develop their socialization.

-Right.

-As you can see, they love it!

[ Both laugh ] -This group play is hugely beneficial not only to the puppies... Oh, everything's great!

-...but also to the volunteers, like Harriet Pearce, who help make it happen.

-I used to be a maths teacher, actually, quite locally, a secondary-maths teacher, which I loved.

Then I got quite poorly and very stressed and I had to reassess what my priorities were and get myself better.

And one of the things was, "I'm gonna volunteer at Guide Dogs," because I love dogs and I love helping people, so that's exactly what I've been doing, like, getting more and more involved, which is great.

It's been -- It's been a bit of a journey, but -- -But a healing one.

-Yeah, exactly.

A healing one, and it's ended up in an excellent place, where I get to see these lovely puppies.

-Yeah, and these are good for your soul, aren't they?

-And they're all starting to go and get a bit sleepy, look.

-Yeah, they are.

This one is.

-We're gonna have a pile of puppies in a minute.

[ Both chuckle ] -At 8 weeks, the puppies are individually rehomed with volunteer families all over Britain.

I've traveled to South Wales to meet one of those families, known as puppy raisers.

-Oh, my God.

-Hi.

-Come in.

-Cliff and Carrie Vanstone and their daughters, Sienna, Aria, and Isla, have looked after Hobson since he was 8 weeks old.

[ Dog barks ] Now a strapping 9 months, he's learnt to deal with many of the things that life might throw at him.

Is there, like, a manual of the things you have to -- -So, we have, like, training guidelines for sure, right the way through from even the toilet training to things like getting them to chin rest for examinations and things like that so they can have their eyes checked, their ears checked, all those sorts of things.

And just living with a family must be -- -He's very resilient, shall we say.

[ Both laugh ] He's brilliant with trains, buses, tractors, loud spaces.

And with the children, as well.

They play with him a lot and, you know, sometimes climb on him and things like that.

-Mauly.

-They're just naturally -- Yeah, mauly!

-They're all mauly.

Like all puppy raisers, the family get to keep Hobson for about a year.

Then he'll be rehoused with fosterers while he goes to daily training classes for a guide-dog career.

Can you tell me, what's the best thing about having Hobson in your house?

-What's the best thing about having Hobson, Aria?

-Uh...because he's so soft.

-He's so soft?

-Soft.

-I do think I wanna keep him.

-You wanna keep him?

-Yeah.

-But we know we cant keep him, don't we?

Because Hobs is gonna go off to help somebody else, isn't he?

-The Vanstons were inspired to become puppy raisers because Aria was born blind.

She's too young to have her own guide dog, but could soon qualify for a child's equivalent.

One of the things that we've since learned from our experience with Aria is that from the age of 4, you can apply for a buddy dog, and that's perhaps where dogs haven't been successful in their training to become a fully fledged guide dog.

They can be repurposed for companion dogs.

-He kissed me on the hand.

-He kissed you on the hand?

-Yeah.

-That's 'cause he loves you.

Just seeing the reward it brings to Aria, given that she has a sight loss, is just -- It's been something that, you know, I can well imagine we'll always have a dog.

-Mm.

How about that, Aria?

A buddy dog of your own.

Just specially for you.

Would that be nice?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-I've loved having Hobson.

I've loved the raising part of it.

I think that, inevitably, I'll be sad when he goes.

Of course I will.

I'm not kidding myself.

I think we call it Kleenex Day, the day that the dogs go, because it's -- you know, it's tears, but I think the tears come a lot from feeling... -I think it's Andrex with Labradors, isn't it?

-They are!

-[ Laughter ] -Volunteer puppy raisers, like the Vanstons, currently house around 1,200 puppies nationwide.

That's an improvement after the pandemic lull, but more puppy raisers are always needed.

Meanwhile, with the help of trainer Emma... -Good girl!

-...Jaina's making good progress with her new guide dog, Kath.

-Straight on.

Good girl!

-Which means the time has finally come to say goodbye to Laura.

-Good girl.

-It's early April in Dorset, and I'm about welcome a new member into the Clunes household.

-Hi, hi, hi, hi!

[ Dogs barking ] Laura!

[ Chuckles ] Oh.

Hello, Laura.

I'm sorry.

I'm greeting the dog first.

How rude!

Now that fitness expert Jaina Mistry has a new guide dog... -Yes, how are you?

-Hello.

I'm grand.

-...she can no longer look after her old guide dog, Laura.

-She's a bit unsure, I think.

-It was nearly a year.

Ah!

That's it!

[ Laughs ] So Jaina and her mum, Hansa, have brought Laura to live out her final days on our farm.

-Now you remember.

-[ Snorts ] That's better.

Three of my dogs seem happy to see Laura.

The one who's not so sure is a very rude Jackahuahua called Penelope Jennifer.

-[ Dog growls ] -Penny, language!

-Oh, dear.

-[ Laughs ] Dear Penny, you better get over it.

Get over yourself.

-She's got a new friend now.

-Laura!

[ Smooches ] Hello, baby.

No, Penny.

Watch your language.

Jim's showing Laura his ball.

-Oh!

Toys.

-[ Laughs ] -Laura's your new friend!

-Laura takes it all in her stride.

She's really livened up.

She's been rather quiet, actually, the drive up and -- So its nice to see her happy like this, yeah.

-Well, she's... She'll be knowing how you're feeling, won't she?

How are you feeling?

-Oh, gosh.

Ah, I think the lead-up to Laura coming here has been quite emotion-- like, difficult, quite tough, just accepting the fact that I have to let go now, after 10 1/2 years.

It's a long time.

But, erm...

I know she'll be very happy here.

I notice you don't have collars on your dogs, Martin.

Is that something -- Is there a reason for that or... -Because we don't need them.

We have the kind of leads that... slip over their heads.

-Oh, those are safer for them, aren't they?

-Yeah, we may let Laura go naked.

-Oh!

-[ Laughter ] That'll be quite strange, 'cause she's always had her collar on.

She'll be very naked.

-Whoa, what about that?

Topless!

-Oh, my... -She'll run after you for her collar!

-She will!

-"Put it back on me!"

[ Laughter ] -She'll have something to say about it.

-Oh, yeah.

After handing over all of Laura's accessories... -This is her bowl.

-Oh, right.

We were gonna dig out one of Arthur's, but, yes, no, of course, her bowl.

-This is her bone.

-That's her bone.

-And this we like to call her spaceship.

-Yes.

-And you put her kibble in there, and she likes to knock that around.

-We'll just brush between these two bushes.

The moment finally arrives for Jaina to bid Laura farewell.

-Sit.

Hello!

Ooh!

Here.

Hey, Laurie, sit.

Laurie?

We've had the best 10 1/2 years together, haven't we?

The most awesome, pawesome partnership.

You really enriched my life in so many ways.

You've -- You've helped to rebuild my health... my confidence, my independence.

You'll always be my number one, my special little girl... the remarkable guide dog who changed my life forever.

Love you always.

I love you.

You'll be happy.

She'll be happy.

Come here.

Give Mummy cuddles, yeah.

Yeah.

[ Laughs ] You'll be happy here.

Special girl.

Back home in Leicester, Jaina's now walking solo with Kath as they practice the important routes around her neighborhood.

-Good girl!

It's like any new partnership.

Even with Laura, we had, like, challenges along the way, which we've had to work together to get through.

Door.

There you go.

Good girl.

Kath particularly likes to go up peoples' driveways.

Good girl.

I think that was the main distraction.

Step by step, our bond is getting stronger, my confidence is growing with her, and it just feels like I have my life back now.

Good girl.

-As well as helping Jaina qualify as a health and fitness expert... -Up to the door.

-...having a guide dog has meant she can travel twice a week... -Hi, Lewis, how are you doing?

-How are you?

How are you both?

-Good!

-...to Lewis Bradford's gym.

So, I've been training you since 2016, right?

-2015.

-2015.

-I'm a very different person now to what... -Exactly.

-...to what I was 8 years ago.

-Yeah, for sure.

Personal training is about the mental side as much as the physical.

It's not just about pushing yourself in the gym.

It's about mind-set outside the gym, as well.

-Laura's retirement was a real blow to Jaina's fitness regime.

But with Kath, she's getting right back on track.

-Having a dog in general, just for the general clientele, is very positive.

It gets them walking, right?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-And we've noticed the difference since you've transitioned between Laura and Kath.

Your activity levels have shot back up again, haven't they?

-I've really missed that for two years.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

-Yeah, she's enabled me to do that.

Like, without a guide dog, my quality of life would be so different.

-Good lad.

Good.

Well done.

Good boy.

-Back at the guide-dog charity in Leamington Spa... -Do you want to head in?

-Good lad.

-Yeah, good boy.

-...I'm finding out what it feels like to trust a canine with your sight.

They tell me rookie guide dog Elmo is the right kind of size and pace for me.

-When you're ready, a nice "forward."

-Forward.

-That's good.

Go with him.

You feel him guiding towards the left, and then he guides towards the right.

-Yep.

Trainer Nicola Brown is teaching me the subtleties of harness control.

-And often, when the dog's guiding to the left, you have to lengthen your stride a little bit to go with him.

That's good.

And then we shorten our stride a little bit, as the dog comes to the right, yeah.

And at this point, we can tell him -- That's good.

Go with him.

Tell him "chair."

-Chair.

-Come up on his shoulder, find his head, and go down below, and that's your "yep" point.

-Yep.

-And then the treat.

That's brilliant.

So, how does it feel?

-It's funny.

Even though I'd been stood looking, you know, and I knew down there, the minute I set off, I lost all, you know... -Yeah.

-It's very disorientating.

-It's one of the key things, knowing where you are on a route, because dogs, you can't just say, "Oh, I'm going to the shop," and the dog find the way there.

You've got to have some kind of orientation points along there and things for the dog to find and locate to be motivated.

So it's more complicated than people think.

-Yeah.

Forward.

After several practice runs, Nicola cuts us loose to find our own way.

-Stop there.

Just a little bit close to the hedge line.

And just tell him "chair."

-Chair.

-And up onto his shoulder.

-Yep.

-Good, brilliant.

He just followed your cameraman slightly into the hedge.

-[ Both laugh ] -Can we do that again?

-Good lad.

-Then just tell him "chair."

-Good lad.

Chair.

A few more attempts, and I might actually be getting the hang of this.

Yep.

-Fabulous.

How did that feel?

-You're so good.

Yeah, great.

Actually great.

-Little bit further.

You got that left-right weave -- -Little bit further, but he was -- I was feeling it all through the handle and the harness, yeah.

Yeah, and he was nice and steady.

-So, how does it feel now, in comparison to earlier, when you first started off?

-Yeah, felt my sort of stride was more fluent, rather than, you know, hesitant and disorientated, and just kind of reading through the angle of the handle.

One thing I'm learning from all this is that every dog is unique.

Obvious, really, just like every person.

In busy West London, I'm meeting David Isaac, whose dog, Scooby, guided him out of a bleak time in his life.

David now runs an access program at Hammersmith Council.

But not so long ago, he thought losing his sight meant he'd never work again.

-I lost my sight about -- probably about 10 years ago, from diabetes.

So, erm...

I didn't look after my sugars at the time.

I was told that I'd have two to five years of sight left.

And it was about two years before I lost my sight.

-And what was your journey to Scooby from your diagnosis?

-I was a very social person before I lost my sight.

And then, once I lost my sight, I kind of withdrew.

I didn't take it very well.

Um...I kind of cut off from everybody, from my family, my friends, everybody.

I went into a really dark place.

As I started to learn with the long cane, you could be out and you'd hear people, "Careful, there's a blind man, move out the way."

And they'd part like the Red Sea.

And the only time they'd talk to you was to say, "Careful, you're gonna walk into something."

And it was just horrible.

But things changed with him.

I can't go anywhere now without 15, 20 people coming up to me and telling me how beautiful he is, how lovely he is.

It's a huge conversation starter.

And, really, I credit him for giving me back that social interaction that blindness took away from me.

-Isn't that funny?

Isn't that incredible?

-It really is.

And it's allowed me to become me again.

I've had dogs all my life.

The bond I have with him is completely different.

I put my trust in him so that he keeps me safe, and he puts his trust in me to keep him safe.

There is no alpha and beta.

We share that responsibility.

-I've got five dogs now, with Laura, but... yes, that's interesting.

I'll never have that.

I'll never have that.

-Bit jealous.

-[ Both laugh ] -Straight on.

Good girl.

Straight on, then.

-As Jaina Mistry gets up and running with her new guide dog, Kath... -Good girl.

-...I'm investigating the different experiences other owners have had.

Few people are more inspiring than Liverpudlian Craig Lundberg, the man on the right.

As a blind athlete, he's run marathons... climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, cycled the length of Britain on a tandem, and he plays blind football for the England team.

And though his dog, Comet, often waits on the sidelines...

Play, don't you?

You want to play with him.

After Craig lost his sight, having a guide dog helped him regain his confidence as a sportsman.

He's desperate to get in amongst it.

-We've got a blindfold for Comet.

-[ Laughs ] Presumably, he'd be no -- he'd just... he'd just mess everything up, wouldn't he?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

Can you explain about the blindfold?

-Yes, so, in blind football -- So, it's a Paralympic sport.

Everyone has to wear a blindfold and patches to make it even, 'cause, obviously, certain people have got... different levels of sight loss.

-Yeah.

-Me, I'm totally blind.

My eyes are prosthetic.

But to make it fair for everybody, everyone has to wear a blindfold.

-You're really accurate with that ball.

I know, every time you kicked it, you put it where you wanted it, and every time it was kicked to you, you got straight to it.

-Yeah, it's listening.

As you can hear, the ball's got a rattle in.

A lot of it is communication, sound, and sort of getting a mental image of your surroundings and what's around you.

-Amazing.

Is it good fun?

-I'm biased.

I think its the best blind sport.

-As a 21-year-old soldier in Iraq, Craig was hit by two rocket grenades that nearly killed him.

-I had a broken jaw, lost a load of teeth.

I had a fractured cheek, a broken nose.

I had flash burns up this side of my face.

But my eyes took most of it.

So, yeah, just total darkness.

And it'll be another five years, um...

I would've lived my life... blind just as much as I would've lived sighted.

Which is a bit of a mad thought.

-Wow.

Though Craig struggled to begin with, it was getting his first guide dog, Hugo, that inspired him to rebuild his life.

-Just had this instant bond of trust and just needed that nudge in the right direction.

I've done a lot of things in the mountains and a lot of cool, cool, adventurous stuff.

'Cause he'd just follow me everywhere and he'd just be like, "Yeah, Dad, I trust you completely."

I loved him that much, I even -- My first child -- his middle name is Hugo.

-Oh, really?

-So, yeah, we loved -- proper loved him.

And being a Scouser and having a designer dog, Hugo.

Scousers love Hugo Boss, don't they?

So it was, like -- It was ideal!

-[ Laughs ] I was like, "Oh, there you go.

You've got a little Hugo Boss dog."

-At the age of 11, Hugo made it to a happy retirement.

And now Comet is Craig's companion and number-one fan.

It's now high summer, and there's just one encounter left.

Jaina and her new guide dog, Kath, are heading one more time to Dorset.

-We're on our way to visit Laura.

I haven't seen her for two months.

I'm really excited to hear about how she's been getting on and really curious to see how she reacts when she sees me.

I think I have an idea.

But we'll see when we get there.

-Hello, Jaina.

-How are you?

Good to see you again.

-In for a kiss.

Aww!

Lovely to see you!

-Oh, Laura, who is this?

-[ Both laugh ] -They've got to say hi to each other first, haven't you?

Hey, you!

Do you not remember me, then?

-Yeah, I know, ungrateful.

-She's busy with Kath.

-[ Laughs ] -She's besties with Kath, aren't you?

Hello!

-Ah!

Now you get some attention.

-You remember me now.

-Oh!

Oh, now she's rumbled.

-I've missed you!

How has she been doing?

-She's been doing fine.

-I'm just so happy to see her.

I really am.

She's just the same.

-Awkwardly, just before Jaina's arrival, Laura proved her new country credentials by rolling in badger poo.

Yeah.

-Oh, you're stinky.

-She wants to give you a kiss.

-Oh, you really want to kiss me.

-It's a toss-up between the badger poo and the breath.

-Oh!

-[ Laughter ] You really want to.

-You might almost imagine there'd be a rivalry between them.

But no way.

She's just too friendly.

-Hello.

-Look at these girls.

-Perhaps because Laura's paved the way, Kath proves to be an instant hit.

-They're all going to say hello to Kath.

-Oh, wow!

-Oh, Penny likes Kath.

-Oh!

-Shall we all stop doing that on national television?

[ Chuckles ] Oh, everybody.

But what all my dogs love most is a walk in the garden.

Do you wanna go out there?

-[ Dogs barking ] Here we go.

Whoo-hoo!

Oh, Kath!

Hey!

Whoo!

-Oh, wow!

How fun!

-[ Both laugh ] Is this how it is every day for you when they wanna go out?

-Oh, yeah, yeah.

All I have to say is, "Do you wanna go out there?

", and then everybody starts barking.

-Oh, wow.

Coming back today, I just feel real peace of mind, seeing how she's been getting on and how she's really settled into country life and doing things that I wouldn't expect her to do.

-Oh, what, the badger?

-The badger thing.

-Yes, the badger thing.

-[ Both laugh ] -That says to me she's really settled.

-Yeah, no, she is.

She's definitely -- she's enjoying it.

-This is the perfect home for her, and just... thank you so much for taking good care of her for me.

-Oh, well, thanks for letting me have her.

She's a great addition.

And when Kath needs to retire, you know where we are.

-[ Both laugh ] -Nine years down the road.

-Can you wait another 10 years?

Yeah, I'll be 70-God-knows-what, but yeah.

[ Both laugh ] -I have missed you.

When the time came to rehome Laura, it was really heartbreaking letting her go.

But now, coming to visit her, I can see she's very happy, and that's what I've wanted for her all her life, to have the best retirement.

Come here.

And Kath -- she's an absolute superstar, just like Laura.

And I'm very excited for the future that we have together.

So anyone who's considering applying for a guide dog, I would say absolutely do that.

Your dog is more than just a working dog.

They become your best friends and they change your life in so many ways.

They really do.

-Now we've been living with Laura two or three months and couldn't be happier to have her and to see her running and running and running.

She did give an awful lot throughout her life, you know.

And to just see her get some payback here just feels nice, you know.

But, also, what I've learned about the guide dogs, which I thought I knew, which I thought we all knew, you know, has just -- It's just fascinating.

And you just have to salute them for everything that everybody there does.

- We'll all see brighter days We'll all see brighter days We'll all see brighter days