John Kalter: Winkhaus Project Manager and volunteer puppy raiser

Winkhaus says it loves to celebrate the caring spirit that shines through its team. Winkahus Project Manager, John Kalter and his wife Kathryn have shown just that through their remarkable experience as volunteer puppy raisers for Guide Dogs UK.

After an extensive vetting process, which Kathryn led, the couple welcomed Tara, a nine-week-old Golden Retriever, into their home. Their 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Max, wasn’t quite sure what to make of the energetic newcomer at first (especially when Tara took a liking to his ears), but he soon became her watchful companion.

Tara quickly became part of the family, refusing to sleep anywhere except the bed she had as a puppy and is known to settle down with a gentle suckle on it.

Over the course of a year, John and Kathryn helped Tara to gain confidence in busy places, get used to transport, ignore distraction and master recall, all essential skills for a working guide dog.

Though they assumed she’d go on to guide someone with sight loss, due to her perfect skills and wonderful nature, Tara instead met the incredibly high standards to become a Guide Dogs breeding mum, helping bring up the next generation of life-changing companions.

One of John’s favourite photos captures a “Lady and the Tramp” moment between the two Tara and Max, minus the spaghetti.

For more information about Winkhaus, visit: Website | Winkhaus

Or for more information about Guide Dogs UK, visit: Guide Dogs | The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association