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Guide Dogs

Could you help train a guide dog?

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association trains about 1,000 dogs every year – using volunteers to care the pups during the first year of their young lives

This little-known role for animal-loving members of the public is rewarding – but also tinged with sadness, because the loveable animals have to be handed back to the charity after 12 months of being “family pets”.

The ideal candidates for such a worthwhile yet demanding role are recently retired people. Which is why the association has asked the Saga Website to appeal for so-called 'Puppy Walkers'.

These volunteers care for and educate guide dog pups from about six to eight weeks until they are 12 to 14 months of age, when they are returned to the charity to begin specialised guide dog training.

During that vital first year, the young dogs learn basic obedience as the volunteers get them used to a home environment, noise and the bustle of towns.

They also prepare the animals for their working life ahead by taking them on public transport, including, trains, buses and taxis.

The Guide Dogs association say that taking a puppy into the home provides a companion for its temporary owners, who find it rewarding to raise a dog that will one day be the 'eyes' of a blind person.

The charity says: “We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to become puppy walkers because, at the end of the day, if we don’t have puppy walkers, we don’t have guide dogs.

“Puppy walking is challenging and it is a commitment – but our volunteers find it extremely rewarding and worthwhile.”

The Guide Dogs association supplies basic equipment and covers all veterinary and feeding expenses. But there are a few conditions…

To become a puppy walker, volunteers need to have access to a car. They have to be home for most of the day. And the have to be free to take their puppies into many varied environments – sometimes busy and difficult.

Their yard or garden will also need to be securely fenced so that the puppy remains safely within its confines.

Is it a role you think you could fulfil? For more information about volunteering for the charity, please call Guide Dogs on 0870 727 6940.

This article was created: 6 November 2006.
This article was last edited: 6 November 2006.

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