A FATHER-of-two has spoken of how a guide dog enabled him to meet his daughters from school by himself.

When Chris Towers’ sight began to fail one of the main things he missed was collecting Grace and Megan from the school gates. Unable to go out independently, he feared that he would never again be able to pick them up.

But after bringing home guide dog Jaeger Chris, of Thackley, was able to return to school, and is looking forward to doing so again once children return to the classroom.

“It was the thing I really missed, but I could not have gone along on my own,” said Chris, who has suffered from the degenerative eye condition cone-rod dystrophy since birth. “Until I reached my thirties I was able to get about okay, but then my condition worsened and I had to be accompanied by my wife Emma or somebody else, when I went out.”

Chris could use a white cane, but he admits that it just wasn’t for him. He did not feel confident using it and was reluctant to go out. Not being able to collect his daughters from school was the biggest motivator that prompted Chris, 39, to apply for a guide dog. He was partnered with Jaeger, a yellow Labrador-retriever cross named after the robot in the film Pacific Rim.

“I had not had a dog in my life and to be honest I was quite scared of them after a dog - not a guide dog - bit me when I was young,” he says. “But I quickly overcame that. Jaeger is a very placid, loveable dog.”

Following a period of training, Chris brought him home. The first thing he did was walk the 20 minutes to the local primary school to meet Grace and Megan. “It was incredible to be able to do that - I had really missed it.”

Due to Covid rules, Chris has not been to the school with Jaeger for a few months. “I went last year with my wife as it is difficult with all the one way signs and notices. When things return to normal I am keen to start going again. Grace moved to secondary school in September, so I will be meeting Megan when I go back.

“Jaeger is a sensible dog while working but also has great fun with the kids, who love seeing him. I sometimes wonder if he likes them more than me.”

Jaeger has fitted perfectly into the family. “If you sit on the floor, will come and sit with you, and if anyone has a hug he tries to get in between.@

Having his companionship in lockdown has really helped the family, say Chris. “We have enjoyed many family walks with him, when we let him have a run off the lead.”

In normal circumstances Chris, who works in digital marketing, takes Jaeger to work at Emerald Publishing in Bradford. “They have been great and have bought him a bed which sits under the desk next to me.”

Now Chris has the freedom to go out and about whenever he chooses, whether that be a walk in the woods with his family, getting to and from work, or just popping to the local shops. Chris gives talks about eyesight and guide dogs to schools and businesses.“Jaeger has made a huge difference to our lives in many ways,” he added.

*Jaeger was named by a donor as part of Guide Dogs Name a Puppy scheme which allows people to name a puppy and receive updates on the pup’s progress. Money raised by such schemes allow life-changing partnerships like Chris and Jaeger’s to become a reality. Visit guidedogs.org.uk