PUPPY walker, tour guide and fundraiser: Harry Stringer

One of the first things that strikes you when you speak to Harry Stringer about being a puppy walker is just how rewarding he finds the experience.

The 72-year-old, who also helps with fundraising and is a tour guide at the Atherton Guide Dog Training School, started being a puppy walker in 1998.

Now on his 12th guide dog puppy, he hasn’t looked back.

“It was difficult to give up the puppy for the first time. It’s always a sad day to see them go, but you know at the start what you have signed up for and that they will have a good life,” he said.

“But, most importantly, you know they will be going on to change someone’s life.”

He added: “To be a puppy walker, you need patience, to be prepared to persevere when things aren’t going right and a desire to help others.

“And, of course, the time to devote to training the puppy and taking them here, there and everywhere.

“But it’s that feeling when you see a dog that you’ve taught all their basic skills wearing their harness leading someone through a busy street that makes it so worthwhile.

“I get a tremendous sense of satisfaction from being a puppy walker.”