WHO IS NAIRA?
Naira is a 12-month-old guide dog in training. Marike Boertien and her partner are puppy raisers for KNGF Geleidehonden. For about a year, they will socialise Naira and teach her the basic behaviour she needs to eventually become a fully qualified guide dog or assistance dog. After that, they hope she will be admitted to the Guide Dog University for her advanced training.
Naira is staying with Marike and her partner because she is a bit insecure. Her training aims to help her develop enough mental resilience to eventually support a person with a disability: a work in progress!
NAIRA AT THE UNIVERSITY / WORKPLACE
Naira occasionally accompanies Marike to the university. You may see them in and around MESA+. Naira is a gentle dog, and you don’t need to do anything with her.
👉 Important: when Naira is wearing her purple jacket, she is working. At those moments, please ignore her completely: no eye contact, touching or talking to her.
If she is not wearing her jacket and you would like to pet her or play with her, please ask Marike first. Naira loves attention, but this must be limited and done in a controlled way to avoid overstimulation.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Getting used to a variety of environments, including a workplace, is an essential part of Naira’s training. Your cooperation directly contributes to her chances of becoming a valuable partner for someone with a disability later in life. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support!
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Feel free to contact Marike: m.boertien@utwente.nl
ABOUT KNGF GELEIDEHONDEN
KNGF Geleidehonden is a Dutch organisation that has been committed for decades to training professional assistance dogs, including guide dogs for the blind, ADL assistance dogs, PTSD service dogs and assistance dogs for children, among others. Their mission is to give people with a disability more independence, mobility, confidence and quality of life through carefully trained assistance dogs that not only provide practical help, but also friendship, emotional support and social contact. The work of KNGF is invaluable: without donors, volunteers and puppy foster families, dogs cannot grow up and be prepared for their future tasks. Thanks to this collective effort, people with a disability gain a loyal and well-trained helper by their side.
