Teen becomes Britain’s youngest guide dog trainer at age 19

A 19-year-old has taken home a 13-week-old black Labrador puppy who is a guide dog in training – making the teen the youngest dog trainer in Britain.

Animal lover Rowena Smith volunteered to care for the puppy, named Lilly, with the help of her mother Sheelagh Kerry.

They will have the dog for a year and help train her for life as a guide dog for the blind.

Rowena teaches Lilly basic commands and instructions before the puppy is returned to the Guide Dog Association and can eventually be matched with an owner.

Rowena said: ‘We volunteered together so we could do this as a team.

“When I’m gone, Mom or Dad are at home, so it gives us more flexibility to care for a puppy.”

Rachel Lord, Guide Dogs’ puppy development consultant, said one of Rowena and Lilly’s first training exercises appeared in stores — which the duo excelled at.

She said, “She walked to a perfect loose lead and had fun experiencing a new place.

“Rowena gave Lilly enough reassurance and breaks to sniff around, and Lilly’s happy wagging tail told us she was quite comfortable with it.”

Rowena from Abergavenny, South Wales, says Lilly enjoys spending time on the family’s small farm, with their chickens and 20 sheep.

She said, “Lilly’s pretty good around them. The chickens know about dogs and will attack, so you have to watch out for them, not the other way around.

“Lilly loves watching my mother feed the sheep.

“My friends weren’t surprised that I volunteered because I’m always involved with dogs. They are impressed and think it’s a good thing.