The Malta Guide Dogs Foundation will receive €200,000 over the next five years from the Rome-based Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The money will help the foundation buy trained guide dogs from abroad, cover the training of local mobility and orientation instructors and all medication needed by the dogs.

“This is a momentous occasion for the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation since the funds… are being put to a specific purpose, as agreed in advance with the Malta Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta,” foundation chairman Leone Sciberras said.

Philip Farrugia Randon, president of the MASMOM, said the order was impressed with the foundation’s commitment and its work to provide improved mobility and orientation training for the visually impaired.

It also sources puppies that are raised in Malta and fully trained dogs for local visually impaired guide dog users.

Since the foundation was set up in 2006, seven guide dogs have been trained.

The puppies usually come to Malta for a year, where they live with a family, known as puppy walkers, to get used to socialising in a family environment and going to public places.

They are then sent to Messina for a year’s intensive training to become guide dogs.

During this period they are matched with their future owners, who are also given training.

Three puppies are currently in Malta and another two will arrive soon.