The public was shown how these animals are utilised to become essential components of blind people’s safety and autonomy during an exhibition hosted by the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation (FOPG) in Benidorm yesterday, Thursday 27th March.

Under the theme “Much more than a dog,” the nearly 1,000 participants, who came from various Benidorm educational institutions and the general public, watched as these animals performed a variety of obedience and focus exercises alongside mobility instructors Rafael Almansa and Eloy Aranda. They were accompanied by Tibor, a black Labrador, and Dior, a sable-coloured German Shepherd.

Guide dog users from Alicante, María Luz Menéndez and Moisés Moreno, described their everyday lives with ORI and ODRI, respectively, and both demonstrated on a circuit how the training process works so that the dogs can overcome obstacles, go up or down stairs, cross zebra crossings, look for doors, or stay in a cafe or in any kind of transportation at the feet of a blind person.

Antonio Pérez, the mayor of Benidorm and president of the Alicante Provincial Council; Enrique Llin, the president of the ONCE Territorial Council in the Valencian Community; Estela Medina, the director of ONCE in Alicante; and Francisco José Muñoz, the councillor for Public Space, Public Works, Accessibility, and Mobility of Benidorm, who wore an eye mask and experienced firsthand what it’s like to move without seeing, along with an ONCE guide dog.

The proper way to act around a guide dog

In addition to reviewing some guidelines for how to act around a guide dog, attendees had the chance to learn about the various phases a dog goes through to become the eyes of a blind person, including rearing, socialisation, training, everyday life, and retirement.

The first of them is that dogs should not be given any food since they may have a food intolerance, which could lead to digestive issues that could impair their health and well-being and interfere with their ability to help the blind person they are with on a regular basis.

They also reminded everyone that when walking with a blind person, which they are happy to do, it is crucial to avoid diverting the dog’s attention. This demands their focus to keep them safe.

Another piece of public advice is that people who own companion dogs should always keep them under control by their side and not let them go if a guiding dog is around.

Though it’s crucial to respect their work when guiding and save play and greetings for when they’re not wearing a harness, guide dogs also enjoy lots of downtime and leisure time.

Additionally, keep in mind that you should never tug on the dog’s leash or harness when giving instructions to a blind person. Just move away from the dog and approach them, ideally from their right side.

The legal right of guide dog owners to enter any locations, spaces, businesses, and public transportation in Spain with their dog was also recalled; this is a fact that occasionally creates issues because of public ignorance.

Over 3,700 canines have been given by the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation in its nearly 35-year history, and almost 1,000 of those dogs are currently strolling through our nation’s streets and villages with an equal number of blind people. Thirty of the 84 guide dogs in the Valencian Community—the eyes of the blind and visually impaired—live in Alicante. Every year, about 140 animals are supplied.

Strolling Together

The integration of blind persons into society is one of ONCE’s top concerns. This work is founded on three pillars: employment, social and cultural interactions, and personal autonomy.

In order to address this, she established the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation (FOPG), following the lead of North American and European guide dog schools. Its current facilities, which are located in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid), provide all services, including canine training and instruction, boarding, breeding, and puppy care, as well as a veterinary clinic, a shelter for retired dogs, and a training user housing.

The most popular breeds are German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, which are hypoallergenic crosses between Golden Retrievers and Giant Poodles. Like all of the services that ONCE provides to its users, this one is free. Depending on the animal’s developmental stage, training lasts 18 to 20 months before the animal is delivered to the user. In addition to dog trainers and teachers, foster families offer to socialise the puppies during the training process.

Alma Occident’s spirit keeps expanding, and after taking over Barcelona and Madrid, the boutique event moves forward and lands in Alicante, “a city with a lot of soul,” according to a statement from the organisation. “With its sea, its light, its Mediterranean character, and its energy, Alicante becomes the perfect setting for a unique musical experience, where music comes alive in a curated environment that invites you to enjoy every moment,” they stated.

Alma Occident has made a name for itself in the music industry by assembling well-known national and international performers in a well planned arrangement. Alicante is joining this journey this summer with a show that is sure to enthral viewers right away. The festival has announced its first five confirmed artists, Texas, Travis, Kool & The Gang, Guitarricadelafuente, and Jethro Tull, in honour of this new location.

According to the event’s organisers, these five names “represent the diversity and artistic quality that characterise the festival,” combining “international legends and essential talents on the current scene.” In the upcoming weeks, the identities of the additional artists that will participate in this inaugural Alma Occident Alicante edition will also be made public.

The first confirmed name for the concert series is Texas. The iconic Scots will perform their renowned and adored live concert at Alma Occident Alicante on July 14th, following their highly acclaimed and sold-out UK arena tour. The band, led by Sharleen Spiteri, will perform songs spanning the past 50 years, including the worldwide hit “I Don’t Want A Lover” and more current singles like “Mr. Haze” and “Keep on Talking.”

On July 19th, Álvaro Lafuente, better known by his stage name Guitarricadelafuente, will be in Alicante to premiere previously unheard songs from his new album along with some of the biggest successes that have made him one of the most promising musicians of our day. He will return to the stage in 2025. The tour, which has been thoughtfully planned to establish a tight and direct relationship with its audience, will feature exclusive performances at specific locations. This time, Guitarricadelafuente concentrates on exclusive performances, providing a unique experience that emphasises the significance of this new phase of his career.

The renowned Jethro Tull will perform in Alicante on Sunday, July 20th, showcasing their distinctive progressive rock and folk sound. The British band, lead by Ian Anderson, has over fifty years of experience and guarantees a memorable night with their signature tunes and distinctive sound mix.

Travis, the celebrated Scottish band that has had a significant impact on indie music in recent decades, will take the stage a few days later on Wednesday, July 23rd. With songs like “Why Does It Always Rain On Me?” and “Sing,” Travis will enthral the Alicante audience with their mesmerising melodies and poignant lyrics.

One of the most important bands in funk and soul, Kool & The Gang, will take the stage on August 6. Kool & The Gang will captivate the audience with their infectious enthusiasm and have them dancing to the beat of timeless songs like “Celebration” and “Get Down On It” because to their identifiable energy and generous portion of danceable rhythms.

These will not be the only performances at Alma Occident, which further demonstrates the festival’s dedication to delivering its distinctive offering to towns with character, history, and a particular bond with live music by coming to Alicante. “A festival that is much more than a lineup of artists: it’s an experience where the audience is the true protagonist, in an environment designed to make every night an unforgettable memory,” they say. “Alma Occident is still beating hard. Additionally, it will now do so in Alicante,” the statement says.

For more information see https://almafestival.info/alicante/

At 2:10 p.m. on Thursday 27th March, three men, ages 36, 54, and 67, were hurt in a collision involving two vehicles on the AP7 close to Almoradí.

A SAMU unit and two Basic Life Support units have been sent to the location.

The 67-year-old and 35-year-old males, who each had many injuries and bruises, were taken to the Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela, while the 54-year-old man, who had multiple injuries, was sent to the General Hospital of Elche.