Puppy raisers find joy in raising puppies that change lives

Madelon Green and Minette van der Walt raise puppies for the SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind.
Green has raised eight puppies in eight years and said four of them were now working dogs. The other four are still undergoing training.
“It is a lot of tears when I have to let them go but I keep in mind that they are leaving to make other people’s lives better,” she said.

“I am very fortunate that they all keep in touch. It is wonderful to see the bond they have with their carers. It makes all the pain and tears worthwhile. These dogs do change lives for the better. The association is always looking for puppy raisers.
“From my care, they go back to the association for formal training either guiding, assistance or autism support. They normally graduate at around two years.”
Van der Walt is raising two puppies. “My first puppy Klove will be two years old on March 26. I’m now raising Tilly,” she said.
She added Klove was the sweetest dog. “She is extremely gentle and follows me around wherever I go. I used to take her with me to the office, to the mall, concerts or restaurants. This helps her to adjust to any situation so that when she starts to ‘work’ there is nothing unfamiliar. When she was about a year old, she started with her ‘formal training’ which means she goes to ‘school’ for the week. It was during this time that I got Tilly, a little feisty black puppy who makes us laugh so much.”
Van der Walt said Klove was going to be an autism support graduate soon. “I am truly super excited for her to be doing this, she loves children and she is such a kind and loving dog. I know she is going to make a big impact. I have not met the family she is going to yet, but will meet them before she officially graduates and joins her new family.”
She said it took a lot of time, effort, consistency and patience to raise a puppy but she hoped to be doing this for years to come.

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