Guide Dogs Victoria seeking Geelong carers

GUIDE Dogs Victoria is celebrating the arrival of its coming summer litter, but the young pups will need loving and responsible volunteers to help care for them.

Volunteers are especially needed in Geelong over the next 12 months while the dogs develop some of the basic skills required ahead of their formal Guide Dog training.

Guide Dogs Victoria is calling on everyday Australians to open their homes to the next generation of Guide Dog puppies by volunteering as Puppy Raisers.

The coming summer litters will be ready for their homes later this year.

Puppy Raisers play a critical role in transforming young puppies into trainee Guide Dogs, who will one day provide a life-changing service of essential independence and freedom to someone who is blind or has low vision.

From about eight weeks of age, Guide Dogs are placed with Puppy Raisers, who provide basic training and a loving home, so the dogs become well socialised, confident, and focused before they start their formal Guide Dog training 12 months later.

This includes establishing good toileting, feeding, sleeping, and walking routines.

Puppy Raisers will also attend weekly training sessions so the puppy can learn basic skills such as sitting nicely when being groomed, walking nicely on a lead and developing good house manners – all of which sets them up to develop the skills they will need as fully-fledged Guide Dogs.

Guide Dogs Victoria held an information session at its Geelong office on Thursday last week.

“Guide Dogs wouldn’t be sustainable without the assistance of our volunteers,” Guide Dogs Victoria puppy development advisor Alex Hecker said.

“Puppy Raisers are a tremendous support to the community and ultimately play a crucial role in helping Australians living with blindness or low vision lead independent lives”.

“We are looking for people that are home most of the time and who are interested in putting effort into training and socialising the dog.

“What you get in return isa life-changing experience and knowing that you’ve positively contributed to your community.”

Puppy Raisers need to have a fully fenced yard or be away from home no more than four hours at a time and have access to a car.

This volunteer must also be available for information sessions, vet checks and Puppy Pre-School.

While Puppy Raisers are responsible for everyday activities such as grooming, house training and exercising their pups, Guide Dogs Victoria provides a strong support network, including food, veterinary care, flea and tick prevention, and a dedicated Puppy Development Adviser to answer any questions and provide guidance.

For more information, head to guidedogs.com.au/get-involved/volunteering/become-puppy-raiser