"Leading a blind person is perhaps the most demanding job a human can ask of any animal." Bruce Johnston's statement became the motto of the public collection Four-legged eyes.
The annual collection has been organized since 2004 by the Guide Dog Training School (VŠVP), which is one of the departments of the Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Slovakia (ÚNSS). The collection attracts attention mainly due to its form. Models of guide dogs - black labradors, which are placed throughout the year at 47 publicly accessible locations throughout Slovakia, serve as cash registers. Anyone can participate by any contribution, placed in the treasury or on the account of the collection. The total revenue of the Four-Eyed Public Collection for 2011 is €8,101.99. "Part of the revenue will be used to support the breeding, education and training of guide dogs. The ÚNSS will use the other part to provide social counseling and carry out social rehabilitation of blind clients in their place of residence," says Katarína Obuchová, coordinator of the Four-eyed collection. "Thank you to all the supporters of the fundraiser. They make it possible for invaluable canine helpers to reach those who need them," he adds.
Union of Blind and Visually Impaired Slovakia is a civic association that unites blind and partially sighted citizens, their supporters, friends and parents. Currently, it has more than 5,500 members associated in 69 basic organizations. It provides its services, advice and activities to visually impaired people in every region of Slovakia. The Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired of Slovakia was established in 1990 and celebrated its 20th anniversary on April 7, 2010.