Volunteer puppy raisers needed: Help train future guide dogs
SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind’s wants to have a country where every person with a visual or physical disability can experience freedom and independence.
Puppy raising is a volunteer programme where you will receive a puppy from the association when it is eight weeks of age. This puppy will stay with you until it is approximately 16 months old.
During this time, the puppy raiser will attend a training session once a week at the Guide Dogs premises and various other public spaces.
Besides the formal training sessions, the puppy raiser is encouraged to take the puppy with them wherever they go as often as possible. There are restrictions applicable up to 16 weeks old.
The puppy raiser will often be invited to join the marketing team at various fundraising events to interact with and meet the public.
Around 16 months of age, the pup returns to the association for formal evaluation. During this time, the puppy raiser may continue to have the dog with them at home over the weekend and holidays as all dogs in formal training go to their homes over weekends and holidays.
Once the formal training is complete, the dog will be matched to their new person.
All food and vet bills are covered.
Basic requirements to be a puppy raiser include being available to attend weekly training sessions on weekdays for 21 weeks during office hours. Must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license.
To become a puppy raiser, email AlidaP@guidedog.org.za or for more information visit www.guidedog.org.za
