Trainee guide dog Milo takes to the roads with Morebus in Ringwood

Go-Ahead owned Morebus is helping to train a local guide dog puppy by offering some vital travel experience across its network.

The local operator is providing seven month old Milo and his trainer Sarah Whitbread from Ringwood free travel on its services, to give the special pup a chance to get used to hopping on-and-off buses.

"I’m a volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and will be training Milo until the end of the year," said Sarah Whitbread. "We are based in Ringwood and I’ve been asked to take Milo onto the next part of his training - which involves negotiating public transport.

“I asked Morebus whether they could allow me to hop on-and-off with Milo without having to pay any fares, as I’m a volunteer - and they were only too pleased to help. It’ll make a huge difference, not only to me and to our training - but also to whoever has their life transformed by Milo when he completes his time with us.”

Nikki Honer, head of communications at Morebus, added: “It is important to us that our buses are accessible to all - and we understand the issues faced by those who are partially sighted when they travel by bus.

“They rely heavily on these special dogs to help them go about their daily lives, and we are delighted to be able to help Milo get used to hopping on board with us. We wish him and Sarah all the very best with his training.”

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For more information about becoming a volunteer guide dog puppy trainer, please visit guidedogs.org.uk/puppywalking or call 0345 143 0191

For more information about Morebus services, please visit morebus.co.uk