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dog puppy in training - you’re not getting a guide dog. So, he’s
not going to know everything. It’s your job to teach him.” She
says raisers need to spend at least 10 minutes a day working
on basic obedience skills with the puppy.
Although each puppy raiser is responsible for the puppy’s food and
ea preventative, Southeastern Guide Dogs covers all veterinary
expenses. “If the raiser is located near Palmetto, they can bring
the puppy to our vet on campus,” Laura explains. “If they’re not
local, they can go to one of our vet partners in their area.”
Letting Go & Transforming Lives
Volunteer raisers bring home their puppy at the age of 9 to 11
weeks. Once the puppy is 16 months old, it’s time for him to head
back to Southeastern Guide Dogs and begin his formal training.
We know what you’re wondering: “After raising a puppy for more
than a year, how can I give him back?” According to Laura, you
must remind yourself this dog has a greater purpose: to transform
the life of a blind person or a veteran.
“Although you may want the puppy, someone else needs them,”
she says. “There is no greater joy than to know that you have
raised this puppy into a mature adult dog that is now helping
someone else regain their independence, gain their freedom
and be their companion.”
During Canine University, each dog “chooses” their future job.
“That’s what I love about Southeastern Guide Dogs,” Laura
enthuses. “If a dog doesn’t want to do the guide work, they’re
not going to force them. They will work towards nding another
job for that dog.”
While some dogs choose to become guide dogs, others prefer
jobs in public service or therapy. Still others are chosen to
become breeders for the next litter of superhero puppies.
“For instance, if a dog has a snifng distraction, he may be a great
candidate for public service work, such as search and rescue,
arson, bomb detection or working with Florida Fish and Wildlife,”
Laura explains. “If he’s a really lovey dog but he doesn’t want to do
the work, he could go live with a child who is losing their vision as a
companion. Alternatively, the dog could become an ambassador
for Southeastern Guide Dogs and attend speaking engagements.”
Once the dog is matched, many raisers have an opportunity to
go back to campus and meet their pup’s “forever person.” As
every raiser will tell you, it is incredibly rewarding to see their
puppy do the job he was born to do.
“o matter what career the dog chooses, when you see them
matched up, and you get to meet the people they’re going to
be working with, it’s the most rewarding day ever,” Laura says.
“I won’t lie, it’s an emotional gig - from raising and loving the
puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to the overow of
joy you feel when you hear your puppy has been matched. But
it is the best gig ever.”
• Ready to raise a puppy and change a life?
Visit GuideDogs.org to apply!
/GuideDogs.org