The Deputy Mayor of Dudley Council has visited the Beacon Centre in Sedgley today (5 August) to celebrate International Assistance Dog Week.

She joined people who live, visit and work at the centre for an outdoor event at Bromford’s Retirement Living Scheme at Beacon Court, located next to Beacon Centre.

The Deputy Mayor also cut a special doggy cake for assistance dogs to enjoy. Councillor Sue Greenaway, Deputy Mayor of Dudley Council, said:

"The Beacon Centre and Bromford Retirement do vital work in supporting people who live with visual impairments and it was an honour to attend the event today.

"I really enjoyed meeting people and hearing all about their amazing guide dogs, who do life altering work in helping people who have visual impairments."

Lisa Cowley, Beacon Centre Chief Executive, said:

"We were delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Dudley to our party as guide dogs are very much part of the Beacon family, coming to work with our staff, supporting our members and the residents of Beacon Court.

"They are such amazing animals, and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate the fantastic work they and other assistance dogs do."

The Beacon Centre supports people with sight loss and other conditions across the Black Country and South Staffordshire.

Three assistance dogs currently live with residents at Beacon Court, a Retirement Living scheme offering 71 Rental and Leasehold self-contained apartments for people aged 55 and over who currently live in the Dudley and Wolverhampton area.