Joey was just a puppy when he was found in Paphos. He was taken by Paphos Municipal workers to the local kennels, where he spent a month before the animal welfare organisation Freedom Angels Animal Rescue took him into its care. Joey was only eleven months old when he was selected as an Assistance Dog for Marilena.
An Assistance Dog is the trained or trainee dog for people with visible or hidden disabilities. Assistance Dogs have free access everywhere, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They can be identified by a special collar bearing the label ‘Assistance Dog’ and by their official certificates.
The training of an Assistance Dog is especially adapted to the needs of the handler/owner and his/her specific condition. For example, Assistance Dogs belonging to persons with epilepsy are trained so that, on most occasions, they can respond during a seizure and are able to recognize and communicate to their handler/owner that a seizure is imminent.
Furthermore, by their mere presence, Assistance Dogs strengthen the psychological state of disabled persons, helping them gain self-confidence and feel less anxiety and fear, by providing greater safety and freedom of movement inside and outside the home.
At Cyta, our role as part of the effort to train Joey, the assistance dog for young Marilena, was twofold. Firstly, we actively supported Joey's training by raising a significant amount through the sale of old smartphone accessories. Secondly, we committed to promoting free access for all individuals accompanied by Assistance Dogs or Guide Dogs, starting this initiative in our own stores across Cyprus.
The initiative "Joey is being trained to become an Assistance Dog for young Marilena" has been completed. We thank you for supporting our effort and helping to sell 2,207 old smartphone accessories at a symbolic price, raising a significant amount for Joey's training. The check was handed over to Marilena in May 2022. Joey's training is now complete. However, what is even more important is ensuring that all individuals accompanied by Assistance Dogs or Guide Dogs have free access everywhere. At Cyta, we took the first step by opening the doors to all our stores across Cyprus and spreading the message with the help of the media and our partners.
Thank you for supporting our effort and helping us to sell 2,207 old smartphone accessories at a symbolic sum, raising a significant amount of money for Joey's training. The cheque was delivered to Marilena in May 2022. Joey's training continues and will be completed soon. What is even more important is to ensure that all people accompanied by Assistance Dogs or Guide Dogs will have free access everywhere. We at Cyta made the beginning, opening the doors at all Cytashops throughout Cyprus and sending the message with the support of the Media and our partners.
Thank you for reaching out!
We will be back online at 8:00 am.In the meantime, check out our support sections: