A FAMILY-RUN vets is caring for more than 40 guide dogs and puppies across its Guiseley and Roundhay practices.

White Cross Vets works closely with national charity Guide Dogs, to provide local dogs with a wide range of discounted care and preventative treatments including vaccinations and prescription drugs.

Hayley Thompson, Veterinary Nurse from White Cross in Guiseley, said: "We have a longstanding relationship with Guide Dogs and over the last decade, we have worked with hundreds of assistance dogs across Leeds, Bradford and Wharfedale. We’ve expanded the scheme in recent months and we’re delighted to currently be working with so many active and training dogs.

"These dogs all do a fantastic job and give blind people a level of independence that would often be impossible without their help, so it’s very rewarding that we can provide them with care and treatment to ensure that they can always perform to the best of their abilities."

Hilary Heane has been taking her guide dog Chandler to the Guiseley vet for the last two years.

She said: “Chandler makes a huge difference to almost every aspect of my life, as well as being a wonderful companion, so it’s vitally important that he is fit and healthy. It’s extremely reassuring to have White Cross Vets giving him regular health checks and as a result he is very rarely ill, which gives me great peace of mind.”

Guide Dogs has been breeding and training dogs for more than 75 years, providing thousands to blind and partially-sighted people of all ages and from all walks of life. There are nearly 4,800 guide dog owners in the UK. The service receives no government funding and depends entirely upon public support.