Fancy welcoming a precious new furry friend into your home? Now’s your chance as Irish Guide Dogs is recruiting volunteers to welcome
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind are on the lookout for volunteers to raise adorable pups undertaking guide dog training.
It’s a win-win, really. Not only will you have the opportunity to invite a new cuddly member into your home.
Rather, you will also be providing invaluable assistance in the training of guide dogs that will help people with visual impairments or families of children with autism.
So, if you’re a dog lover who has some extra time you can dedicate to raising an adorable guide dog pup, then read on.
A good deed – not without rewards
Irish Guide Dogs are currently looking for volunteers to raise adorable pups that will go on to become companions to those in need.
Puppy Raising Manager (what a title!) Erin McDonald said the charity is seeking people in the Leinster and Munster area to raise a dog from the age of eight weeks until around 12 to 14 months.
Puppy Raisers support the guide dogs to-be in their initial stages of training. Taking to Twitter, the charity wrote, “You’ll benefit from the satisfaction of #ChangingLives, the reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home and the opportunity to learn new dog training skills.”
What’s involved? – what you need to know about becoming a Puppy Raiser
If you’re thinking of joining the dedicated group of volunteers with Irish Guide Dogs, here is everything you need to know.
The puppy will live in your family home. Under the direction of Puppy Raising Supervisors, they will learn basic rules and obedience.
Once the puppies reach around 14 months old, they move into the National Training Centre. Here, they will work with highly skilled trainers to become fully-fledged Guide or Assistant Dogs.
The role is a full-time volunteer position, and experience with obedience training dogs would be an advantage.
Irish Guide Dogs looking volunteers to raise adorable pups – how you can get involved
Irish Guide Dogs are currently recruiting for volunteers across Munster. You must be located no more than two hours from the Irish Guide Dog headquarters in Model Farm Road, Cork. The charity is also recruiting across Leinster.
All veterinary fees and feeding costs are covered, and volunteers will receive all needed equipment. Plus, when you go on holiday, Irish Guide Dogs will find a nice temporary home for your pup.
A number of requirements are in place for volunteers. The puppy must not be left alone for more than four hours. They must also have access to a secured outdoor area.
You can have up to two dogs in your home as long as they are friendly and neutered.
Lead volunteers must be aged 18 and over. However, puppies will be accepted in homes with children aged five and over, and the whole family can get involved in raising the pup.
You can find out more on the Irish Guide Dogs website here.
