The awards aim to recognise and reward the amazing and life-changing work of the UK’s 4,600 guide dogs currently providing independence, freedom and confidence to their blind or partially-sighted owners. Local people are invited to visit a special area of Guide Dogs’ website www.guidedogs.org.uk/awards which is dedicated to the awards, to nominate a guide dog they know.

There are three Guide Dog of the Year award categories (closing date for nominations is 17 June 2008);

Beyond the call of duty – for dogs that may have performed a heroic act, or averted a dangerous or risky situation.
Life changing – for dogs that have given their owner not only freedom and independence, but also the confidence to try new challenges, take up a hobby or go to work every day.
Outstanding work – for guide dogs that have adapted to their owners’ changing circumstances, different working environments and situations, and taken it all in their stride.

Judges will then make the tough decisions of which nominated guide dogs will win these three national awards categories, and then be in with a chance to go on and be named Guide Dog of the Year 2008. The winning dogs will be announced at the prestigious ceremony held at the Kennel club, London on Monday 8 September.
The winner in 2008 will follow in the pawsteps of guide dog Roz, last years winners. Heroic Roz miraculously survived a vicious and savage attack by a large dog whilst out working with her visually-impaired owner Gary Wickett, from Birmingham. Despite suffering from horrendous injuries and bleeding heavily, Roz still managed to safely guide Gary the half mile home. It was thought that she would have to retire due to her physical injuries but after spending hours in surgery and a period of rest and recuperation, she was back guiding Gary within weeks.

Vicky Bell, a spokesperson for Guide Dogs, says: “Every guide dog is a winner to their owner but we hope to recognise some of those guide dogs that are truly outstanding, having changed their owners life, shown outstanding work, or gone beyond the call of duty. “We are really excited about the Awards and want everyone to get involved and nominate a guide dog that they know, so we can tell the stories of as many of the UK’s amazing guide dogs as possible.”