PUPPY RAISING PROGRAM
The sight of a working dog elicits feelings of respect and love for the animal who is entrusted with the safety of a human being and who is providing its user with independence they would not otherwise enjoy.
What is Puppy Raising?
Puppy Raising is a 24 hour a day, 7 days per week, volunteer job. It is unlike any other form of volunteering. Our Puppy Raisers expend energy, time, love and caring of our puppies in order to raise pups that are well prepared for their professional training as a working dog.
The program is overseen by a puppy supervisor who will become the direct link to the training facility and the resource person for any questions you may have regarding the puppy. The puppy supervisor will visit families on a pre-arranged meeting schedule. Minimum contact will be the "monthly" training walks and bi-monthly obedience classes.
One of the underlying characteristics of your puppy, when he is ready to leave your home, is that he has developed social skills and behaves in such a manner that his presence will be acceptable in homes, offices, elevators, restaurants, hospitals, public areas, as well as on public transportation and in private vehicles.
Who is able to be a Puppy Raiser?
At the present time our Puppy Raising Programs are located in the following areas:
- The Great Vancouver Regional District
- Victoria, B.C.
- Calgary, Alberta
The criterion for becoming a Puppy Raiser is:
- A home where the primary Puppy Raiser is home during the day and is available to meet with the Puppy Supervisor, attending obedience classes and training the puppy.
- A home which provides a secure outdoor area (i.e. fenced back yard) for the puppy that is easily accessed for the purposes of training the puppy, and where he can relieve himself.
- A home which can be puppy proofed without undue alteration or trouble. (i.e. poisonous plants removed, valuable articles put out of reach, electrical wires concealed, etc.) There must be areas where the puppy can be safely left for short periods of time (i.e. a kitchen where doors may be closed or blocked off to keep the puppy from roaming through the house).
- A home where there is no more than one other dog as a permanent resident (i.e. there may be a permanent family dog, or stud dog or brood bitch, and one puppy completing his training)
- Having children in the home is acceptable, as our dogs must be socialized with all ages of people, and particularly tolerant of children. HOWEVER, it is recommended that the children be of school age.
CONCLUSION: The contribution of our Puppy Raisers is essential to the survival of BC & Alberta Guide Dog Services, and we are extremely grateful to these families for their efforts. We believe that should you choose to pursue becoming a Puppy Raiser you will find the experience both fulfilling and rewarding. If you have any further questions regarding our Volunteer Puppy Raising Program please contact us:
British Columbia:
Linda Thornton
email: burritt@telus.net
Local: 604-940-4504
Toll Free (North America): 1-877-940-4504
Alberta:
Donna Luchak
email: albertapuppy@telus.net
Local: 403-258-0819
Toll Free (Alberta only): 1-877-258-0819
