Sophie appears in great spirits as she presents a loyal guide dog with a medal to mark his retirement at her home in Berkshire

• Sophie, 57, invited Mary Pitman, 81, and her guide dog Pipe to her home
• Read More: Sophie attends the Cornbury House International Horse Trials 

The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in great spirits as she helped a charity to celebrate the retirement of a loyal guide dog this week. 

Sophie, 57, who is Guide Dogs Patron, invited Mary Pitman, 81, and her guide dog Pipe to her home in Bagshot Park, Berkshire, to present the pooch with a medal to mark his retirement. 

Piper, who is approaching his tenth birthday and is due to retire later this month has been by the side of owner Mary since 2015. 

The pair were invited to sophie alongside outgoing Guide Dogs CEO Tom Wright and new CEO Andrew Lennox.

To mark Piper’s retirement after so many years of loyal service, Mary and Piper were presented with a special ‘Putting my paws up’ dog tag by The Duchess.

The Duchess of Edinburgh appeared in great spirit as she helped a charity to celebrate retirement of a loyal guide dog

Piper is one of hundreds of guide dogs who retire across the UK every year, all of whom deserve to be recognised for their devotion to their owners.

As the charity’s new CEO prepares to take the reins, Guide Dogs wants to take the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the retirement of guide dogs, showing how loved and appreciated they are even as their careers come to a close. 

Mary said: ‘Piper has taken brilliant care of me. Guide dogs are life-changing and give you the chance to just go out and get on with life. To open the door and go out for a walk, just me and him, is wonderful.

‘Being blind it often doesn’t take much to knock your confidence. Walking into a lamppost or stepping into traffic can be enough to stop you going out entirely. Having a guide dog with you stops all of that.

‘Every dog is different, and I would say my first guide dog Olive was far more dainty and feminine.

‘Piper has been great too; calm but with a cheeky side.

‘I’m grateful that at aged almost ten Piper is still in good health so he can fully enjoy his retirement. We’ll be keeping him active with lots of walks, but he can truly relax.’

Guide dogs normally retire from around the age of eight, although some will continue to work until 11 if they are healthy and happy in their job.

Sophie, 57, who is Guide Dogs Patron, invited Mary Pitman, 81, (left) and her guide dog Pipe to her home in Bagshot Park, Berkshire, to present the pooch with a medal to mark his retirement

To mark Piper’s retirement after so many years of loyal service, Mary and Piper were presented with a special ‘Putting my paws up’ dog tag by The Duchess

Piper will be spending his remaining years with Mary and her husband Roger at home in Thame, Oxfordshire, as a pet

Piper is one of hundreds of guide dogs who retire across the UK every year, all of whom deserve to be recognised for their devotion to their owners

The majority of retired guide dogs stay with their owners even after hanging up the harness. 

Piper will be spending his remaining years with Mary and her husband Roger at home in Thame, Oxfordshire, as a pet.

Sometimes it is better for a guide dog to move on to a new home, however. If their owner is out at work all day with their new guide dog for example, the older guide dog would be very sad to suddenly be at home alone. 

Guide dog owners can nominate a retirement home if they cannot keep the dog themselves. This is usually a friend or family member nearby the dog already knows well.

Otherwise Guide Dogs’ Rehoming service will find a new family for the retired guide dog, and fortunately there’s lots of people willing to give these older dogs a lovely home for their golden years.

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