Raise a hero pup with the SA Guide Dogs

The SA Guide Dogs Association for the Blind has started a puppy-raising programme giving community members a way of making a real change and impact on the lives of the visually impaired, physically disabled, and children on the autism spectrum in South Africa.
The programme is a voluntary one where interested people receive a puppy from the association. The puppy will be just eight weeks old and will stay with the volunteer helping to raise it until it is approximately 16 months old.

According to the regional marketing manager of the association, Nicole Barros, during this time the puppy raiser will attend a training session once a week at the premises and various other public spaces. “The class is about an hour long and is run by a puppy-raising supervisor. You may need to attend more classes when required.”

Besides the formal training sessions, the puppy raiser is encouraged to take the puppy with them wherever they go and as often as possible, although there are some restrictions applicable up to 16 weeks.

The puppy raiser will often be invited to join the marketing team at various fundraising events, to interact with and meet the public. These events help to socialise the puppy to increase its exposure to people and expose the puppy to varying stimuli in various environments.

At around 16 months of age, the pup returns to the association for formal training. While the puppies are undergoing training, 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 homes over weekends and holiday periods. Once the formal training is complete, the dog will be matched to their new person. During a class of two to three weeks, the dog and their owner, guide dog, service dog, or autism support dog train and bond together as they begin their journey.

The volunteer puppy-raising programme is for anyone who loves animals and is willing to learn new training skills and help make a difference. The SA Guide Dogs Association for the Blind’s vision is to have a country where every person with visual and physical disabilities can experience freedom and independence.

The SA Guide Dogs Association for the Blind will offer:

q A branded puppy pack that contains all the essentials that the puppy would need to start their journey.
q Collar
q Lead
q Jacket
q A chew toy
q Treat bag
q Blanket
q Vaccinations, deworming, tick and flea protection throughout
q All food and vet bills are covered
q Each litter has a dedicated puppy-raising supervisor who assists with any training or behaviour challenges you might have with the puppy.
q If you go away on holiday, your supervisor will allocate a home for the puppy.

Basic requirements to become a puppy raiser:
q Be 18 years and older
q Be a responsible dog lover
q Have a calm and patient temperament
q Be physically fit and capable of caring for a puppy
q Have flexible hours (you can still have a full-time job at the office)
q Be available to attend weekly training sessions on weekdays for 21 weeks during office hours
q Be able to attend monthly to bi-monthly outings with the puppy and other puppy raisers during office hours on weekdays and on weekends when applicable
q Have own transport and a valid driver’s license
q Be able to commit up to 16 months with the puppy

To become a puppy raiser:
Email AlidaP@guidedog.org.za

For more information visit www.guidedog.org.za