In my opinion, this was a truly memorable event. Undoubtedly, before now, nobody had had the audacity to do anything like this in Latvia. The TEODORS service dog association organised a two day trip along the bands of the River Daugava for visually impaired people and their guide dogs. On the evening of 1 July, a group of brave individuals gathered at a campsite that is located on the right bank of the Daugava not far from Krāslava. They were comprised of visually impaired people from Finland, Estonia and Latvia along with their guide dogs and helpers. We spent the evening eating, singing and chatting away convivially, as we got to know one another and discussed the plan for the next two days.

Bends of Daugavas

Our knowledge of Russian and English helped us to connect with one another. After breakfast on the morning of 2 July, the participants split up into three groups and began a trip along the Daugava in two 12-seater canoes. A third smaller boat was occupied by a Finnish family with two small children. I should add that each boat contained a normally sighted volunteer who undertook the role of captain. Make no mistake; this was a trip that posed plenty of challenges for everyone involved. The level of water in the River Daugava was low and therefore there was no shortage of obstacles.

We can do it if we want and do!

From their experiences during these two days, the participants were united in concluding that, “We can succeed if we want to provided that we are prepared to put in the effort required to achieve our goals”. Everyone is aware that without the help of helpful and understanding people, such an exciting event would never have taken place. On behalf of everyone involved, I want to say a huge thank you to the management of the TEODORS association for their voluntary work and the transportation, food and drink and funding they so kindly provided.

Andris Ošāns
July 2015

Having reached halfway, we paid our friends in the countryside a visit. From the left: Panda, Andris with Feja, Natalja with Late, Zaiga with Dīva and Aki.

Having arrived at the campsite on the first evening on the trip, we were welcomed by Aleksejs K. with Tikka and our Estonian guests.

On the second morning, we make the final preparations for our boat trip. Deniss is very impatient; he’s keen to start boating.

Now brothers and sisters – lively, lively, push your boats out into the Daugava…” Let the boating begin!

On the way

The Finnish family happily makes it ashore.

On the second morning, Ilze and Rolands make a power breakfast for everybody– oatmeal porridge.

Velga and Zaiga with three dogs slept over at the KLAJUMI horse farm, near Krāslava. A magical place occupied by amazing people and lovely horses.

Juha and a guide-dog wish the canoeists- Good luck rowing!

The author of this article Andris with Feja alongside the bends of the Daugava.