A HEART-WARMING image of a Garda officer taking a guide dog for a much-needed walk has gone viral across Ireland.
Meet Rhum, one of the many guide dogs currently assisting the visually impaired across Ireland.
While Rhum helps his owner with day-to-day tasks around the house, the current coronavirus restrictions mean his carer must stay indoors and cannot take him for his regular walks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thankfully, Rhum and his owner have been given a helping hand by Garda Conor McNulty from the local Sligo Garda Station.
With Gardai across Ireland tasked with helping the elderly and vulnerable with crucial day-to-day tasks while remaining in lockdown, Garda McNulty lent his services for a spot of dog walking.
It may not seem like much, but it is exactly the kind of community engagement that is helping Ireland get through this most difficult of situations.
A picture of Garda McNulty and Rhum setting off on a walk was uploaded to the Gardai’s official Instagram page where it has proven a huge hit.
"Rhum is a guide dog and needs to stay active,” the caption reads.
“She and her visually impaired owner are practising #physicaldistancing so Garda Conor McNulty of #Sligo Garda Station is ensuring Rhum gets out for some exercise. #washyourhands #communityEngagement.”
The post has generated an incredible response, with fans across Ireland praising the Gardai for their efforts and thanking them for the uplifting post.
“This is fantastic well done,” one wrote.
“Well done thanks to our frontline works,” a second said.
The efforts of the Gardai also earned praise from Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, who took to Twitter to thank them for their continued efforts.
"Ireland at its best,” he said.
“Thank you An Garda Síochána. All in this together and we will get through this coronavirus.”
