Celebrating International Guide Dog Day
International Guide Dog Day takes place on the last Wednesday in April each year, celebrating the incredible contributions of guide dogs in enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with visual impairments.
This special day honours the hard work, dedication, and companionship of guide dogs, also known as seeing eye dogs, and raises awareness about the important role they play in the lives of their handlers. Our colleague Bethany comes to work at EDF every day with her guide dog Anne, here she shares her story.
Bethany's Story
Guide dogs are highly trained assistance dogs, who help blind and visually impaired people stay safe and lead more independent lives. I’ve had my guide dog Anne by my side for over six years.
I was given her from The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, which is the world's largest breeder and trainer of working dogs. Guide dogs wear a harness when they’re working, which the owner holds onto for the dog to guide them around.
Before I got Anne, I heavily relied on others and felt isolated. Anne gave me the confidence and ability to be more independent. The sense of freedom that I felt was unimaginable. What I thought was inaccessible to me, now became an option.
Anne helped me achieve my two biggest aspirations, which were to attend university to gain a degree and to get a full-time professional job. I’m now four months into my new role as a Human Factors Engineer at EDF! Anne made it possible. She is my best friend, and I am eternally grateful to have her in my life.
Whenever I go into the office, Anne will be with me. We found adjusting to office life easier than anticipated. Within a few weeks we learnt all the routes around the office. Anne is so intelligent, she even worked out short cuts that I was unaware of. My team have been very welcoming, they adore Anne, but they’re also very respectful when she is working which I really appreciate. EDF has been so accommodating, I feel very supported.
Guide Dogs resources
For guide dogs to successfully assist visually impaired people, they go through intense training from birth. Guide Dogs have produced an eleven-part series to explain more about guide dog training, entitled ‘The Journey of a Guide Dog’ which covers from birth to retirement, whilst also having some interesting episodes on guide dog genetics and alternative careers.
Last International Guide Dog Day, Guide Dogs published an article explaining the importance of not distracting working guide dogs. According to this article, one in five members of the public admit they have stopped and distracted a guide dog while the dog was working. Considering how many people we walk past every day, this is a huge issue for us. Distracting our guide dogs makes our lives so much harder and can put us in danger.
Guide dogs are adorable, Anne being the most adorable of course, but when they’re in harness and working, please do not distract them. When they’re not in harness and you would like to say hello, please always ask the owner first. If you’d like to give them a treat, please be aware that many dogs cannot eat certain foods due to allergies or medical issues.
Guide dogs change lives, and The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association are working as hard as possible to help as many people with sight loss as they can.
Receive articles like this
Related Roles
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Satellite Delivery Centre, Bridgwater, Hybrid, minimum of 3 days a week onsite.Are you a driven Assistant Project Manager looking for the next step in your career? Do you have good Problem-Solving ski
Reference
0937ed5d-bc8d-4544-af08-01c7105c5482
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Looking to apply your engineering skills to one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? As a Commissioning Chemistry Engineer at Hinkley Point C, you’ll play a vital role in bringing new n
Reference
5cf64bb6-4ecd-4488-91de-e8613f2996cc
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Bridgwater or Bristol (hybrid working)A career that will deliver change. Together, we’ll help Britain achieve Net Zero. Are you ready to play a key role in powering the UK’s low-carbon future? As a S
Reference
30a74502-8f7c-4645-a358-757f9f383dd5
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
EPR Engineering
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Hinkley Point C, Bridgwater Are you a skilled Mechanical Engineer with a passion for solving complex piping engineering challenges? Join our dynamic team at EDF UK and play a crucial role in supportin
Reference
46f188f6-8058-460f-b1ca-d9ebe8cc97fd
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Gloucester
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
26af230d-440d-4ae0-97b1-28db51ef5cc7
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Work Engineering Group EngineerAre you ready to play a key role in shaping the future of nuclear energy? At Sizewell B, we’re looking for passionate individuals to join our Work Engineering Group (WEG
Reference
c7a0b5bc-c41f-4cfa-a171-64166da4f2bc
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Glasgow
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Glasgow
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
6a7d1f62-f57b-4b00-9405-898fc2df059a
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
7564c5c4-38d6-41e1-ac03-643b78ced91b
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Aztec West, Bristol & Hinkley Point C, Bridgwater, Hybrid, minimum of 3 days a week in office/onsite. Are you ready to lead on one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? If you’ve got a
Reference
d0d24e0e-dab2-440b-bf3d-c4e3543d3b9c
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Emergency Preparedness AssistantWe are looking for a proactive, detail oriented and resourceful Emergency Preparedness Assistant who is passionate about their work and can make an active contribution
Reference
c19382f9-d127-4c54-8f17-498e6b09d35e
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Related articles
Content Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
07/02/25
Summary
Hannah began her career in EDF's nuclear family with an industrial placement in Nuclear Operations, and she now leads the chemistry team for pre-ops at Hinkley Point C. Read on to find out how E

Teaser
Early CareersContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
21/01/25
Summary
We welcomed eight new apprentices onto our Wind Turbine Technician apprenticeship scheme in September. They’ll spend 18 months learning the theoretical side of the role at Tyne Metropolitan College in

Teaser
Early CareersContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
15/01/25
Summary
The final stages of the recruitment process will vary, depending on the programme you've applied for. Here’s what you can expect: Graduates and Apprentices: You’ll attend an assessment centre, whi

Teaser
Early CareersContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
15/01/25
Summary
The video interview is a great opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to get a feel for the role you’ve applied for. This is a one-way interview with scenario-based questions desi
.png)
Teaser
Early CareersContent Type
ArticlesPublish date
15/01/25
Summary
Submitted your application? If successful, the next step is the Online Assessment. The Online Assessment is an engaging and interactive way to showcase your unique behaviours while giving us a ch

Teaser
Industrial PlacementsContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
03/01/25
Summary
Duwane joined EDF in September 2022 to complete a 12-month placement with our HR Resourcing team. We spoke with Duwane about what attracted him to choose EDF and how this opportunity will supp

Teaser
Industrial PlacementsContent Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
03/01/25
Summary
James joined EDF in September 2022 to complete a 12-month placement with our Creative Content team. We asked James to share what insights the placement is offering into the world of work and h

Content Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
02/01/25
Summary
What do surfing and software engineering have in common? They’re both passions of our Senior Software Engineer, Jeremy Brooks. And with our flexible working policies, he gets to enjoy both in

Content Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
02/01/25
Summary
As Head of Engineering, Heather leads a team of more than 200 engineers for Nuclear Services at EDF. She’s been with EDF (then British Energy) since 2002 and within Nuclear Services’ technical

Content Type
Employee StoriesPublish date
02/01/25
Summary
Ever wondered what wine has in common with the equipment in a nuclear power station? As our Supply Chain Logistics Manager, Senga Lebo, will tell you, they both need to be transported safely f
Recently viewed jobs
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Satellite Delivery Centre, Bridgwater, Hybrid, minimum of 3 days a week onsite.Are you a driven Assistant Project Manager looking for the next step in your career? Do you have good Problem-Solving ski
Reference
0937ed5d-bc8d-4544-af08-01c7105c5482
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Looking to apply your engineering skills to one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? As a Commissioning Chemistry Engineer at Hinkley Point C, you’ll play a vital role in bringing new n
Reference
5cf64bb6-4ecd-4488-91de-e8613f2996cc
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Bridgwater or Bristol (hybrid working)A career that will deliver change. Together, we’ll help Britain achieve Net Zero. Are you ready to play a key role in powering the UK’s low-carbon future? As a S
Reference
30a74502-8f7c-4645-a358-757f9f383dd5
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
EPR Engineering
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Hinkley Point C, Bridgwater Are you a skilled Mechanical Engineer with a passion for solving complex piping engineering challenges? Join our dynamic team at EDF UK and play a crucial role in supportin
Reference
46f188f6-8058-460f-b1ca-d9ebe8cc97fd
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Gloucester
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Gloucester
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
26af230d-440d-4ae0-97b1-28db51ef5cc7
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Work Engineering Group EngineerAre you ready to play a key role in shaping the future of nuclear energy? At Sizewell B, we’re looking for passionate individuals to join our Work Engineering Group (WEG
Reference
c7a0b5bc-c41f-4cfa-a171-64166da4f2bc
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Glasgow
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Glasgow
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
6a7d1f62-f57b-4b00-9405-898fc2df059a
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Technical Lead (Control & Instrumentation)Join us at Sizewell B Power Station where innovation meets impact. As part of a forward-thinking team, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of low
Reference
7564c5c4-38d6-41e1-ac03-643b78ced91b
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Bridgwater
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Hybrid
Department
Hinkley Point C
Location
Bridgwater
Description
Aztec West, Bristol & Hinkley Point C, Bridgwater, Hybrid, minimum of 3 days a week in office/onsite. Are you ready to lead on one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects? If you’ve got a
Reference
d0d24e0e-dab2-440b-bf3d-c4e3543d3b9c
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Salary
Location
Leiston
Brand
EDF UK
Job Type
Site-based
Department
Nuclear Operations
Location
Leiston
Description
Emergency Preparedness AssistantWe are looking for a proactive, detail oriented and resourceful Emergency Preparedness Assistant who is passionate about their work and can make an active contribution
Reference
c19382f9-d127-4c54-8f17-498e6b09d35e
Expiry Date
01/01/01