Locals urged to join SA Guide Dogs Association for Puppy Raising Programme

To give back and help the visually impaired, physically disabled and children on the Autism Spectrum in South Africa, community members should consider joining the SA Guide Dogs Association’s Puppy Raising Programme.

According to SA Guide Dogs Association’s regional marketing manager Nicole Barros, the programme is for anyone who loves animals and is willing to learn new training skills and help make a difference.

Community members are provided an eight-week-old puppy from the association which they will help develop into a valuable member of society.

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According to Barros, the puppy will stay with community members until the age of 16 months.

“During this time, the puppy raiser will attend a training session once a week at our premises and various other public spaces. The class is about an hour long and is run by a puppy-raising supervisor,” said Barros.

She said community members may need to attend more classes when required.

Besides the formal training sessions, puppy raisers are encouraged to take the puppy with them wherever they go, as often as possible. There are restrictions applicable up to 16 weeks of age.

“The puppy raiser will often be invited to join the marketing team at various fundraising events at malls, expos and markets to interact with and meet the public.

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“These events help to socialise the puppy and increase its’ exposure to people and expose the puppy to varying stimuli in various environments,” said Barros.

At around 16 months of age, the dog returns to the association for formal training.

Barros said during this time, the puppy raiser may continue to have the dog with them at home over the weekends 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.

What is offered by the association

A branded puppy pack that contains all the essentials that the puppy would need to start their journey.

Aside from the puppy, community members receive a collar, lead, jacket, chew toy, treat bag, blanket, vaccinations, deworming, as well as tick and flea protection throughout.

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Barros said all food and vet bills are covered.

Additionally, each litter has a dedicated puppy-raising supervisor who assists puppy raisers with any training or behaviour challenges they might experience.

“If you go away on holiday, your supervisor will allocate a temporary home for the puppy,” said Barros.

To become a puppy raiser several requirements need to be met. These include:

• Be 18 years and older.

• Be a responsible dog lover.

• To have a calm and patient temperament.

• Being physically fit and capable of caring for a puppy.

• Having a job with flexible hours.

• Having own transport and a valid driver’s license.

• To be able to commit up to 16 months with the puppy.

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All puppy raisers must be available to attend weekly training sessions on weekdays for 21 weeks during office hours.

They must also attend monthly bi-monthly outings with the puppy and other puppy raisers during office hours on weekdays and or weekends when applicable.

“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.”

To become a Puppy Raiser email AlidaP@guidedog.org.za or visit www.guidedog.org.za for more information.