The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is to hold a one day national fundraising campaign.
Guide Dog Day, which was launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, will take place on Friday May 10th.
It hopes to change the lives of those who are vision impaired, or the families of children with autism.
Guide Dog Day will focus on the organisation's clients, their families and volunteers sharing their stories about the difference Guide and Assistance Dogs have had in their lives and community.
12-week-old Puppy-in-Training Oonagh with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Helen McEntee, Minister for European Affairs, and Puppy Raiser Patricia Lee from Maynooth | Image: Conor McCabe PhotographySpeaking at the launch, Mr Varadkar said: "We can all take our sight for granted, and not realise how important it is in daily life.
"Irish Guide Dogs does vital work for people right across Ireland, providing dogs for people living with sight loss, and also for children with autism.
"I know the organisation is determined to provide services for even more people this year, so I encourage everyone to get involved in Guide Dog Day on Friday 10 May.
"You can offer to buy a Guide Dog Day pin, volunteer to help out on the day, or donate online."
It costs over €5m a year to provide Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind services and more than 80% of income comes from fundraising and voluntary donations.
The cost of each guide dog partnership - for breeding, training and maintenance - is almost €53,000.
Pictured left to right: Puppy Raiser Patricia Lee from Maynooth with 12-week-old Puppy-in-Training Oonagh, Guide Dog Owner and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind board member Martin Gordon from Sligo, 3-year-old Guide Dog Juno with Laura Curtin from Blanchardstown, and 1-year old Puppy-in-Training Gaston | Image: Conor McCabe PhotographyPatrick Burke is chairman of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
He said: "Guide Dog Day will enable us to raise much needed funds and is a day to celebrate the difference our dogs make to those who are vision impaired and the families of children with autism who can lead independent lives.
"Our network of branches, clients, volunteers, puppy raisers and corporate supporters will be out in force across the country doing street collections, coffee mornings and various other fundraising activities.
"The public can help by giving two hours of their time on May 10th, buy a Guide Dog Day pin or donate online."
