Meet Carlo the guide dog – the two-year-old yellow Labrador who has helped transform the life of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) student Charles Bloch.
Charles, 21, a second year Marketing student, has been visually impaired since birth and had previously relied on the use of a white cane to help him around campus.
But in September, with glaucoma, cataracts and a condition called nystagmus worsening what was left of his peripheral vision, Charles applied to have a guide dog.
Now, after passing a test in January this year, Carlo is by Charles’s side every day and making his time at DMU a far better experience.
Although the extra attention Carlo is getting as he walks around campus is welcome, Charles has asked if students and academics remember to observe guide dog etiquette and ask if they can pet Carlo before approaching him.
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Charles said: “Ultimately Carlo is a working dog and people must ask before they pet him and give him attention. Please do not be offended if I say no. He is on campus to do a job.
“I can understand people saying they love dogs and wanting to play with Carlo, but cannot be disturbed and he must be able to concentrate.
“Perhaps the best way to explain it is that you would not take hold of the steering wheel when someone else was driving.
“Having said that there are times when Carlo’s harness is off and he is resting and then he can have all the attention he wants. He really does have two personalities – the working dog and the dog who wants to play and have lots of attention.
“Everyone I have met on campus with Carlo has been so nice and understanding and there is no doubt I have made a lot more friends on campus this year because of Carlo. When I had a cane in my first year, life was a bit harder around campus but with Carlo I am getting out and about far more than I did.”
Charles says he looks forward to weekends with Carlo when his dog is allowed off the harness and goes for a “free run”.
“He has dedicated lots of hours to working and getting me out and about and he loves his free time up at Spinney Hills park. He goes absolutely crazy.”
It costs about £50,000 to train a guide dog. If you would like to sponsor a dog or help Guide Dogs for the Blind in any way you can read more here
Posted on Thursday 24 March 2016