Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is seeking puppy raisers for future guide dogs.
Volunteers are needed in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, including areas near Prescott, Brockville, Gananoque, and Kingston.
Volunteers would take a young puppy into their home for 12-18 months, raise and love them like their own, and teach them obedience and socialization skills that will mark the good behaviour required of a guide dog.
Many people working, even full-time, and post-secondary students can participate.
All food, toys, supplies, and veterinary expenses are provided. You’ll also receive expert guidance and training sessions from staff at Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.
As the puppy gets older, volunteers will be encouraged to take the puppy everywhere they go, to learn the environments it will later need to go to as a working guide dog. Puppies will wear a ‘guide dog in training’ jacket in public.
The most difficult part is giving up the puppy when it’s time to enter formal guide dog training, so you need to enter the volunteer program with the mindset of doing something good for the community and raising a dog for someone who is blind, so they will have freedom and independence.
Sign up for one of the upcoming monthly information sessions at https://www.guidedogs.ca/puppy-walking/.
To learn more visit www.guidedogs.ca or phone (613) 692-7777.
