With a five-day trip in a wheelchair cargo bike, Bente Wepster and Cindy Andelbeek are drawing attention this week to the lack of foster homes for puppies that are being trained as assistance dogs. Today they concluded their tour at the KNGF headquarters in Amstelveen, where they presented the fund with a check.
Across the country in a wheelchair cargo bike for more foster homes for assistance dogs in training – NH News
The ladies are wheelchair dependent: Bente due to a connective tissue disorder and Cindy due to a nerve disease. Their Labradors Entli and Danja help them with numerous chores every day. From peeling bananas to putting the laundry in the washing machine: virtually nothing is too crazy for our four-legged friends. And they like to do it.
“Danja is really my buddy,” says Cindy, who has had the dog at home since February. She had to wait two years and four months for her support and support. “That was tough,” she says, “then I had to wait until my children or husband were home. This saves a lot of energy.”
“Glad to be here, but it was a very nice trip”
Cindy is not alone: due to the lack of foster homes for assistance dogs, the average waiting time is more than two years. And that should be shorter, according to Bente and Cindy, who were sponsored for their trip by family, friends and acquaintances.
So they started in Groningen last Monday, and arrived in Volendam last night. As during other stages, they were offered a free hotel stay there. This afternoon they drove via Amsterdam-Noord and along the Amstel to the KNGF head office on Amsteldijk Noord in Amstelveen.
On the way to Amstelveen, Bente tells NH reporter Rosanne van Veen that she used to be afraid of dogs. And that KNGF took this into account when choosing an assistance dog. “Entli is very calm and civilized, he suits me perfectly,” says Bente.
Toys, collar and basket
In Amstelveen the women enjoy a warm welcome. “A nice arrival here. Glad we’re here, but it was a very nice trip,” says Bente with satisfaction. With their tour they raised 5,111 euros for the KNGF. The fund uses that money to make starter packs for puppy foster homes, which include toys, a collar and a basket.