Petworld Somerset West & Guide Dogs Association | 3 October 2025
A Morning That Moved More Than Just Feet
Some days you shop. And some days, guide dogs show you just how much more there is to see, feel, and understand.
On the morning of 3 October, Petworld Somerset West hosted a one-of-a-kind event in partnership with the South African Guide Dogs Association. It was called Walk in My Paws — and it gave customers the rare opportunity to experience something entirely out of the ordinary: what it feels like to navigate a public space without the use of sight.
The concept was simple in design but rich in meaning. A limited group of pre-registered participants arrived at the store, met with their hosts, and then took a short guided walk through the store — while completely blindfolded. Alongside them walked one of the trainers and one of the dogs from the Guide Dogs Association, in training to become the heart and hope for a person in need.
A Store Transformed into a Classroom of Compassion
The vibe in the store was calm and quietly expectant as the event began. Trainers from the Guide Dogs Association — Christa, Cheryl, and Megan — moved with gentle authority through the space, setting the tone for the day with warmth and professionalism. The store itself had been subtly reoriented to allow for a safe route, but nothing had been sterilised or closed off. That was the point. This was about navigating the real world — not a simulation, in the mindful care of friendly guide dogs.
And then, the walks began.
One by one, participants stepped up, blindfolded themselves, took a breath, and let go of control. What followed was no more than a few short minutes of walking, pausing, listening, adjusting — but the emotional impact and connection with the guide dogs was unexpectedly deep.
Trust, Challenge, and a Dog at Your Side
Among the participants was Patricia, a Petworld team member and resident bird expert, who walked with one of the guide dogs. Her reaction was clear and heartfelt:
“It was quite a touching experience and challenging too, but I am very grateful for the Walk in My Paws for helping the blind. The guide dogs are doing a great job.”
It wasn’t just about understanding the logistical difficulty of shopping without sight. It was about feeling, even briefly, what it means to rely on someone else — human or dog — to make it through an everyday task. For some, the experience brought a quiet intensity that lingered long after the blindfold was removed.
Leigh-Ann Finds Hope in Kindness
Leigh-Ann, one of the invited participants, was visibly moved by the event. While not quoted directly, she later shared that the experience made the world feel just a little better. It reminded her how important small acts of kindness can be — offering help, showing patience, taking the time to really see one another. She left with a renewed desire to be involved with the work of the Guide Dogs Association and to help others better understand what people living with visual impairments face daily.
Caitlin and the Quiet Confidence of a New Partnership
Another participant, Caitlin, brought her typical sense of adventure to the walk. Trusting her guide dog almost immediately. She described how the dog seemed to sense her inexperience, adjusting his pace, moving slowly, checking in. It was a moment of quiet cooperation between two beings — one learning to let go, the other trained to lead. Afterwards, Caitlin said the experience made her pause and truly appreciate what she has — the ease with which most of us move through our days, and the depth of trust required for someone living without sight to do the same.
Four Dogs, Four Journeys — All Leading to Someone’s New Life
Meet the Canine Stars of the Day
On the day, the store welcomed four guide dogs in training. Each had their own personality, their own story, and their own growing role in the lives of the people they will one day serve.
There was Xaviour, a soft-eyed yellow Labrador who only stopped in briefly. He was headed home to spend the weekend with his "raising family" before returning to puppy school on Monday. His visit was short, but he drew the admiration of everyone who met him — a brief cameo from a dog already on his way to making a difference.
Johnny, a large and lovely lab, exuded calm. His broad stance and easy manner made him a magnet for passing hands and admiring eyes.
Then there was Caleb, a striking black Labrador with a commanding presence and a face that radiated gentleness. He moved through the store with quiet poise, seeming to know exactly how much space he took up — and exactly how to carry it with dignity.
Zain, the happy-go-lucky golden retriever, brought an undeniable spark of joy. His enthusiasm was infectious, and while he remained composed in his role, his tail told another story — constant, steady, delighted. He was, quite clearly, enjoying himself.
Trained to Lead, Loved by All
Three of the four dogs on site were around two years old, and each is nearing the final stages of their formal training. Soon, they’ll meet the people they’ll be partnered with — individuals whose lives they will enhance not just with guidance, but with loyalty, affection, and quiet courage. For now, they are still learning, still adapting — and on this day, they faced a different kind of test: being placed into a busy retail environment, surrounded by a constant flow of new people, smells, sounds, and unexpected interactions.
They passed with flying colours.
Throughout the morning, the dogs remained composed and confident. They welcomed the attention graciously, settled calmly when asked, and moved with an awareness far beyond what one might expect from such young animals. Every wag, every pause, every look toward their handler was a quiet reminder of just how well-trained and temperamentally suited they are to their role.
An Atmosphere of Empathy, Fun, and Something More
More Than Just a Walk — A Shared Purpose
The atmosphere in the store was heartwarming. Shoppers who hadn't signed up to walk still paused to watch, to listen, to ask questions. Some bought stickers in support of the Association's Shades Day, an annual fundraiser, R20 each, all proceeds going to the Guide Dogs Association. Others took brochures or simply stood a little longer than they needed to, letting the experience sink in. There was a feeling of shared purpose, of something quietly profound happening in an otherwise ordinary space.
This wasn’t about spectacle. It wasn’t loud or performative. It was gentle. Kind. Rooted in the real and the everyday.
What We Carried Home
What made Walk in My Paws special was exactly that: it was woven into the texture of a regular shopping day, asking people to see — truly see — what accessibility, support, and trust really mean. The act of being blindfolded was simple, but the lessons it offered were complex. It’s one thing to empathise in theory; it’s another to feel, even briefly, the hesitation in your steps, the quiet reliance on someone else, the vulnerability.
A Cause We Believe In — and a Community We Build Together
Petworld has always believed that being a pet store is about more than shelves and stock. It’s about building a community — one grounded in care, in respect, and in the recognition that the bonds between people and animals have the power to change lives. Our partnership with the South African Guide Dogs Association reflects that belief in every way.
As we move toward Shades Day on 17 October to raise awareness for the visually impaired, those with mobility limitations and those with autism, we hope the impact of this event lingers. We invite our customers, partners, and friends to get involved. Buy a sticker. Wear your shades. Tell someone what you learned.
Because in the end, Walk in My Paws wasn’t just about walking blindfolded through a store. It was about walking together — toward understanding, toward kindness, and toward a more inclusive world for everyone.
Learn More About The South African Guide Dogs Association for the Blind here:
Click here to learn more about the Association's life-changing work and how to contribute meaningfully to their Shades Day fundraiser.
