“These volunteers are giving such a big gift by raising these special dogs,” says Jim Russell, Community Field Representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind. “We’re delivering 11 this weekend and delivered five last weekend to families who will raise and train these pups. It reminds you what the holidays are all about – giving and sharing.”
Volunteer families raise puppies from age eight weeks to 15 months, when they can enter Guide Dog training. During this time, families are responsible for providing their puppies with a well-rounded, socialized and nurturing environment.
“These families give back the dog at 15 months, but their gift is repaid tenfold when they get to see their dog united with a person who can benefit from their unique training and abilities,” says Russell. “Seeing the difference these dogs make in people’s lives really completes the circle. That’s the gift of the program.”
With 900 puppies needing raiser homes every year, Puppy Raisers are a critical part of producing highly trained Guide Dogs and other service dogs. To support the puppy raisers, Guide Dogs for the Blind offers a comprehensive puppy raising manual, organized training and socialization through meetings with other local puppy raising clubs, as well as staff that offer training and problem solving for the pups and their raisers. The cost of training and veterinary care is completely covered by Guide Dogs for the Blind.
“This is really a special sight to behold, these precious little puppies handed over to their new families during the holidays,” says Russell. “So much joy comes from each puppy.”
People interested in Puppy Raising should contact the Puppy Raising department at Guide Dogs for the Blind for information at 800-295-4050. Locally they can contact Stanislaus PAWS (Puppies Assisting With Sight) Puppy Club leader Carrie Mesches at 209-345-9255, or Community Field Representative Jim Russell at 209-669-7657. There are no fees and no obligation to become a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
About Guide Dogs for the Blind:
Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through partnership with dogs whose unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff. Established in 1942, GDB is the largest Guide Dog school in the country, and continues its dedication to quality student training services and extensive follow-up support for graduates. Their programs are made possible through the teamwork of staff, volunteers and generous donors. GDB receives no government funds. Services are provided to students from the United States and Canada at no cost to them. GDB is headquartered in San Rafael, California, with a second campus in Boring, Oregon. More than 11,000 teams have graduated since our founding in 1942, and there are approximately 2,100 active teams in the field currently.
Blog Post information and picture courtest if Guide Dogs for the Blind.
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