Puppy raisers lend their hearts to worthy cause

Puppies are always great companions, but what if taking care of one would also help a visually impaired, autistic or disabled person lead a fuller and more independent life?

The South African Guide-Dogs Association (GDA), based in the Paulshof area, is looking for volunteers who are willing to become puppy raisers for the organisation. The people who volunteer in this role are tasked with raising a puppy that will one day become a working dog. The aim of this raising is to ensure that the animals are properly socialised, can follow basic commands, are used to being in a household with people and have had exposure to as much environmental stimuli as possible so that they are prepared to face the world during their lives as working dogs.

The puppies will grow up to do one of three types of work – either they will become guide dogs for visually impaired people, become autism support dogs for children on the autism spectrum or become service dogs to help those with physical disabilities.

“We need as many volunteers as possible, we raise over 100 puppies a year,” explained Dr Claudia Sanne, the head of the department for puppy raising. “Anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 (depending on their physical fitness) can raise a puppy.”

Puppy raisers, though, need to love dogs, be willing and able to train a puppy, have the transport necessary to both attend and take the puppy to weekly training classes hosted in a number of areas (including Pretoria and Centurion), is willing to be with the puppy most of the time and raise it themselves.

What it’s like to be a puppy raiser:

One puppy raiser shared her experience with the Fourways Review. Mel Morrison is a retired school teacher who lives in the Sandton area and has spent the last 14 months raising her first-ever puppy – a black Labrador named Murphy.

“I do a lot of outreach work generally, and raising a puppy was something I had been thinking about for a while,” she explained. “But of all the work I’ve done, I think this has been the most meaningful. Raising Murphy has been a wonderful experience, he’s a lovely boy and very gentle with other animals.”

Their time together has been one filled with learning – Murphy has gone with Morrison almost everywhere, from visiting her old school (and learning how to interact with children), to the grocery store, bird gardens (where he practised not getting distracted) to the pharmacy and everywhere in between. While out and about, Murphy will wear a distinctive blue collar and jacket with the Guide-Dogs Association brand that indicates he is a working dog in training and is allowed in public spaces.

Morrison encouraged people who can commit to the work, to become puppy raisers. “It is a huge responsibility and takes up a lot of time, but it will make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life [to have a working dog help them live a better life]. For people concerned about the financial burden of owning a dog, the good news is that the GDA provides all the dog’s food, vet fees and medication while you’re raising your dog. You’ll only need to provide bedding, treats for training and toys.”

Morrison and Murphy’s time together is almost done. Murphy will be returning to the Guide-Dogs Association on 11 November to begin formal training while he lives in the kennels, and though he will still be spending weekends with Morrison and her family, it is the beginning of goodbye. In a few months, his training will be complete and he’ll go and live with the human he will assist.

“It will be very hard to let him go,” Morrison admitted. “But when I meet the person he will be going to, when I see what a difference he’ll make in their lives, I know it will all be worth it.”

Details: To learn more or volunteer as a puppy raiser, visit the puppy raiser portal on the South African Guide-Dogs Association website www.guidedog.org.za/puppy-raisers-portal/ or contact Dr Claudia Sanne claudias@guidedog.co.za; 0823217515.

Related Article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/223898/nothing-but-love-for-ark-animal-shelter-puppies/