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ot only is puppy raising a great way to teach younger kids about
giving back, but it also allows older students to earn community
service hours. “It is a time commitment, but the time is very well
spent,” Laura emphasizes. “The rewards are just unbelievable.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
Laura knows a thing or two about puppy raising. Growing up
in ew York, she raised her rst puppy through H for Guiding
Eyes for the Blind at the young age of 13. She rst started raising
puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs in 2010. “At the time, my
grandbaby was living with me,” she recalls. “When I applied to
be a puppy raiser, I wasn’t sure if they would like young children
in the house. But they actually said it’s great exposure for the
puppies to be around infants and toddlers.” Soon after, Laura
raised her rst Goldador superhero puppy, and the rest is history.
After falling in love with the organization, Laura ultimately took a fulltime
job with Southeastern Guide Dogs in Puppy Raising Services.
Still, she continues to work as a volunteer puppy raiser, as well. She’s
currently raising pup #12 - Samson, a spirited Golden Retriever.
Puppy Raising 101
When it comes to raising superhero pups, there’s no experience
necessary. Even if you’re a puppy raising rookie, Southeastern
Guide Dogs will provide tons of support and teach you everything
you need to know.
To get started, volunteer raisers attend Puppy Kindergarten once
a week for about six weeks. After that, you attend twice-a-month
meetings with your local puppy group to practice obedience
and commands. During these meetings, you’ll have a chance
to go on group excursions to help your pups gain condence in
different settings. You’ll also commit to “Walk and Talk” puppy
evaluations and coaching sessions, all designed to help you and
your puppy succeed.
Between meetings, you can take your puppy with you almost
everywhere you go, although they will need some downtime.
“We encourage raisers to take the puppy places with them,”
Laura explains. “But we also encourage them to leave them at
home sometimes, so the puppy can learn how to settle and chill
out on their own.”
Above all else, Laura says puppy raisers need to manage their
expectations. “It’s important to remember y Amy and Zoey with Samson, the Golden Retriever pup Laura Zellner is ou’re getting a guide
currently raising.