I first heard about the Guide Dogs Association from my aunt Gülten, who is like a second mother to me and one of the people who raised me. She had joined the association’s board of directors and asked me to support them. Of course, my first contribution was in kind. A few years ago, we had a long online meeting where we discussed at length how they could raise funds for the association.
As I got to know them better, and met the founding president, Nurdeniz Hanım, the people who work for the association, and the wonderful dogs they train, I grew to love the association. Recently, when I received the invitation below, I confirmed to Nurdeniz Hanım without hesitation that I would attend.
Dear Serhan SÜZER
I am completing my duties as Türkiye’s first guide dog and preparing to wear my crown and enjoy retirement.
We are meeting for a cocktail reception at the Sheraton Istanbul Levent, which I inaugurated and which features a guide dog theme, for this historic event.
I look forward to seeing everyone who shared in my story!
Location: Sheraton Istanbul Levent
February 15, 2026
16:30-19:00
Concept: Cocktail & Farewell Gathering
Note: This is not a farewell, but a thousand thanks!
Dresscode: Cocktail dress
Come, let’s celebrate this historic moment together!
RSVP: 0555 084 10 20 – info@rehberkopeklerdernegi.org
Please note, capacity is limited.
As soon as I entered the hall where the event was taking place, I saw Mrs. Nurdeniz and my aunt standing side-by-side near the stage, so I went straight over to them. They were about to have their picture taken. I immediately joined in the photo. Of course, my first reaction was to pet Kara. When Kara saw me, she stood up and, just as I expected, started sniffing my pants.
Before leaving the house, I had petted my dogs who had jumped on me. Of course, dogs, with their amazing sense of smell, can easily detect the scent of another dog. While she was sniffing my pants, I was petting her. Afterwards, Kara, with some difficulty, got back into the photo-taking position.
A surprising dragging
Immediately after the picture was taken, I moved to the side. At that moment, Kara didn’t want the people who came to take pictures after us. She did something she wouldn’t normally do according to her training, and dragged her mother, Mrs. Nurdeniz, a little bit, back to me and sat down next to me. It was as if she was saying, “Pet me a little more.” I continued to show my affection, but Nurdeniz Hanım certainly wasn’t expecting such behavior at the beginning of the event, and she said, both laughing and a little reproachfully, “This is the first time he’s done something like this; he wanted to come here without listening to his owner.” I laughed and said, “He’s retiring today, everything is allowed for him,” and I helped Nurdeniz Hanım get Kara back into the photo-taking position. Kara and I grew very fond of each other.
As time went on at the event, we encountered Nurdeniz and her dog Kara a few more times and took pictures with different people in various parts of the hall. I’ll also share the detailed information about the event held in honor of Kara, Türkiye’s first guide dog, by sharing the press release issued by the Guide Dogs Association:
PRESS RELEASE
Türkiye’s First Guide Dog Kara Retires, Removes Her Leash
Türkiye’s first guide dog, Kara, completed her duties and retired with a ceremony where she removed her leash. A special farewell gathering was held to honor Kara’s contributions and the mark she left behind.
Guide dog Kara, who successfully carried out her duties for nearly 10 years starting at 18 months old, became a symbolic figure in Türkiye regarding accessibility and independent living. The farewell ceremony was held at the Sheraton Istanbul Levent. The event was attended by diplomatic figures including the British Consul General in Istanbul, Kenan Poleo; the Dutch Consul General in Istanbul, Daan Huisinga, and his wife Anne Paret; the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands in Istanbul, Karin Jones Schaper, and her husband Chris Schaper; the President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, Chris Gaunt, OBE, and his wife, Gülten Süzer Gaunt, a member of the Board of Directors of the Guide Dogs Association; as well as prominent figures from the business, art, and political worlds, and children who knew Kara closely.
In her speech at the event, Attorney and Arbitrator Nurdeniz Tunçer emphasized that guide dogs are trained not only to guide, but also to protect, make decisions, and assess risks. Tunçer stated that preparing a guide dog for this responsibility takes approximately two years, and that dogs who successfully complete this challenging process earn the title of guide dog.
Tunçer stated that Kara was the first guide dog in Türkiye to change lives, open doors, and inspire a nation, noting that Kara achieved many firsts by riding the metro, metrobus, and ferry, and created a strong awareness that guide dogs are not a luxury but a tool of freedom for the visually impaired.
In his speech, Tunçer emphasized that the Guide Dogs Association needs schools, volunteer families, and support to continue the path Kara opened and to train more guide dogs, stating that an accessible world means a fairer, more inclusive, and more sustainable future not only for the visually impaired but for everyone. The event, hosted by Merve Yıldırım and Damla Özlüer, featured performances by Deniz Çevik and Bekir Aksoy. Guide dogs attended the ceremony with their visually impaired owners, and guide dog candidates with their trainers.
Guide dogs, trained to accompany visually impaired individuals in all environments, have been serving in 65 countries for over a century, far beyond being mere pets. Guide dog candidates, selected from puppies of a suitable breed, undergo approximately two years of training under the supervision of volunteer families and trainers before becoming ready for duty.
Guide dogs enable visually impaired individuals to move around independently, providing active companionship in their work and social lives. The association provides all basic services, including training, free of charge.
Kara’s completion of her duties symbolizes the beginning of a new era in Türkiye’s accessibility journey. Efforts are resolutely underway to train more guide dogs following in her footsteps. Kara will spend her retirement alongside her owner, having left her leash behind, resting peacefully and surrounded by love.
About Guide Dog KARA
She is a purebred female Labrador born in Ankara on 21 May 2015. She serves as a guide dog. She completed her one-year training under the supervision of her foster family, Winkie Beattie and Toffer Beattie, officials from the British Embassy in Ankara. In England, Kara received twelve weeks of practical training from international guide dog trainer Alan Brooks to guide visually impaired individuals in all environments. Following this extensive training, Kara earned the title of “Guide Dog,” enabling her to accompany visually impaired individuals in any setting, providing them with safe and independent movement, and assisting them in navigating their daily needs with ease.
For nearly ten years, she served as the guide dog for Nurdeniz Tunçer, the President of the Guide Dogs Association in Türkiye and a lawyer and mediator. She is the first licensed guide dog in Türkiye. She speaks English and Turkish.
Kara accompanied Nurdeniz Tunçer in every situation. While wearing her leash, Kara calmly guided her visually impaired owner to cultural, artistic, and social events such as concerts, exhibitions, and theater performances. She traveled comfortably and without problems on all types of transportation, from public transport to airplanes. During busy meeting schedules, she would lie at her owner’s feet, but when her leash was off, she enjoyed running, playing, being petted, being brushed, sleeping, and snoring. She loves social activities but is shy when having her picture taken.
KARA’s Firsts as a Guide Dog
- Kara was the first guide dog to ride public transport and have access to public spaces, starting on 3 December 2016.
- Kara achieved a world first by assisting Nurdeniz Tunçer, a visually impaired lawyer and arbitrator, during her term as President of the Maslak Rotary Club in 2019-2020.
- She participated as a speaker at Brandweek Istanbul on 6 November 2019.
- On 4 March 2020, Kara received a commemorative stamp from PTT (Turkish Post Office) as the first Turkish guide dog. Kara’s stamp is displayed as a framed picture at the PTT Stamp Museum.
- On 4 April 2021, she ran in the Istanbul NKolay Half Marathon to support the growth of her colleagues.
- On 17 May 2021, she attended the opening of the Sheraton Istanbul Levent as a guest of honor.
- On 3 June 2021, she participated as a speaker at TEDx Bahçeşehir University.
- On 15 October 2022, she participated as a speaker at TEDx RESET.
- On 2 November 2025, she crossed the 15 July Martyrs Bridge by running in the Türkiye İş Bankası Istanbul Marathon.
Guide Dogs Association:
The Guide Dogs Association, which provides guide dog support to visually impaired individuals completely free of charge, is the first non-governmental organization in this field in Türkiye. Founded in Istanbul in 2014 by Maggie Moore, wife of the then British Ambassador, and lawyer Nurdeniz Tunçer, the Association is a member of the European Guide Dogs Federation and a candidate for membership in the International Guide Dogs Federation.
Guide dogs are specialized dogs that accompany visually impaired individuals in all environments after undergoing extensive training, guiding them in their safe and independent mobility. The world’s first guide dog school opened in 1916. The first guide dogs were trained to guide soldiers who had lost their sight during World War I. Today, thousands of dogs are trained and provided to people with disabilities through guide dog schools and guide dog associations in 65 countries. The rights of visually impaired individuals who have guide dogs are protected by all states that are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. http://www.rehberkopeklerdernegi.org
Media Contact: info@rehberkopeklerdernegi.org – mobile: 0555 084 10 20
About President Nurdeniz Tunçer
Now, let’s get to know Nurdeniz Hanım, the founder of the Guide Dogs Association, more closely:
Nurdeniz Tunçer is a lawyer, mediator, and arbitration attorney who graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Law, and is the founding president of the Turkish Guide Dogs Association.
Combining her life experience as a visually impaired person since the age of 10 with her professional expertise, she actively works in the fields of disability rights, accessibility, and social equality.
In 2014, she co-founded the Guide Dogs Association with Maggie Moore, the wife of former British Ambassador Richard Moore; as the president of the association, she has developed projects to strengthen the legal status of the visually impaired, improve their living standards, increase their education and employment opportunities, and raise awareness about guide dogs.
Her work with Kara, Türkiye’s first guide dog, has created significant public awareness. She has been awarded the Sabancı Foundation’s “Difference Makers” award for her social contributions; she has been named among the “Most Innovative Women” by the Global Thinkers Forum and has participated in international projects.
In 2019–2020, she served as the President of the Maslak Rotary Club, becoming the world’s first visually impaired woman Rotary Club President; during this period, she spearheaded education and technical support projects for the visually impaired. She speaks at national and international conferences on disability rights, the right to a fair trial, women’s leadership, and equality.
In the legal field, she has completed mediation and commercial mediation training and received the title of arbitration attorney in 2025. She combines sports, arts, and volunteer activities with social messages to conduct awareness campaigns; and provides mentorship support to visually impaired youth.
Bringing together her legal career with social impact-focused leadership, Tunçer aims to build a more inclusive and accessible society.
Guide Dogs Association President, Lawyer and Arbitrator Nurdeniz Tunçer, and Kara, Türkiye’s First Guide Dog.
Now, to give you an idea, let’s share some other photos taken at the event:
The Dutch Consul General in Istanbul, Daan Huisinga, Guide Dogs Association Board Member Gülten Süzer Gaunt, Lawyer and Arbitrator Nurdeniz Tunçer, the wife of the Dutch Consul General in Istanbul, Anne Paret, and the President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye, Chris Gaunt, were present.
Guide Dogs Association Supervisory Board Chair Semra Güner, RKD Board Member Attorney Ceren Özyaprak, Damla Özlüer, Merve Yıldırım, Attorney and Arbitrator Nurdeniz Tunçer, British Consul General in Istanbul Kenan Poleo, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Türkiye Chris Gaunt, RKD Board Member Gülten Süzer Gaunt, RKD Founding Member Attorney Mualla Özyaprak
Let’s all mobilize together for this valuable cause.
Now, let’s get to the most important part of this article. If you want wonderful dogs like Kara to guide our visually impaired citizens in Türkiye, we need to open a center to train these dogs. In fact, assuming that statistically there are over 1,000,000 visually impaired citizens in Türkiye, one center will not be enough; dozens of centers will need to be opened in different provinces of Türkiye.
The need to open a school for guide dogs was repeatedly mentioned in the speeches given at the event held for Kara. For this, the Guide Dogs Association needs everyone’s support. You can make donations through the Guide Dogs Association’s website:
Association website: https://www.rehberkopeklerdernegi.org/
Donation page on the website: https://www.rehberkopeklerdernegi.org/bagis-yapin/
Let’s not forget that such interaction not only makes life easier for our visually impaired citizens, but also improves the lives of both the dog and its owner through the bond and friendship formed. It represents a very important achievement in terms of integrating visually impaired citizens into society. I kindly request the support of all my readers for this wonderful mission.
