Catherine’s way of giving back to the community – raising puppies!
To be a puppy raiser, you don't have to be a stay-at-home parent or work from home.
The guiding dog programme relies heavily on puppy raisers. They devote between 12 and 15 months of their time, energy, and love to raising a puppy for the South African Guide-Dog Association (SAGDA). Puppy raisers lay the groundwork for the puppies to become trusted guide dogs for the blind by providing daily care and training.
Also read: Wings of Inspiration Care Centre’s Dog Rescue hosts open day
Catherine Gibson has been a volunteer puppy raiser for the SAGDA since 2013 and is currently raising her sixth puppy for them.
“One of the questions I get asked the most when people see me with a puppy in my jacket is definitely, ‘Isn’t it difficult to give the puppy back to the association after raising them?’ My answer is both a yes and a no; puppy raisers put in a lot of love and effort, but we do so knowing that it will be to the benefit of the person whose service dog the pup will end up being,” explained Catherine, who became a puppy raiser because of her love of dogs and as a way for her to give back to the community.
Also read: Active Dog Month: Tips to get you and your pup moving
Catherine’s current guide-dog puppy, Jinx, is 14 months old and is almost ready to begin her final formal training to become a fully-fledged service dog.
“We usually get our puppies at around seven to eight weeks old to help them adjust to their new home, thereafter we start with basic training at week 21 where we go to the association for the lessons. We get a lot of support from the association,” explained Catherine.
Along with Jinx, Catherine has two other guide dogs at home. “Kendall is the second dog I raised and was chosen as a brood bitch for the association and has had two successful litters of 14 pups, she turned nine this year, retired, and will live out the rest of her days here. My other dog, Dudley, is what we call a career change dog – he got through all of his training, but developed a fear of thunder and won’t be able to serve as a guide dog. He is currently four years old,” added Catherine.
You don’t need to be a stay-at-home mom or work remotely to be a puppy raiser.
“As long as your workplace will allow the puppy to come with you, you can qualify to become a puppy raiser. With the puppies going to work with you they get good exposure to different surroundings,” explained Catherine.
To find out if you can become a puppy raiser simply fill out the form on the SAGDA website and they will reach out to you.
“Thereafter they will do a home visit, ask you questions about your pets, children, or if you have a pool to ensure that you will be a good fit for the puppies. They will also provide the pup’s food and pay their veterinary bills. The biggest expense is the fuel costs to go to the classes – and that’s nothing!”
To learn more about the Association and the services it provides, or to get involved, visit www.guidedog.org.za/ or contact them at info@guidedog.org.za or 011 705 3512.
