(KGTV) - Want to make a difference? Guide Dogs of America is searching for volunteer puppy raisers in San Diego.
GDA places puppies in foster homes at 8 weeks of age. The volunteer makes sure the puppy receives the proper socialization to adjust to their important job later in life.
Volunteers will attend a Puppy Orientation meeting and receive a Puppy Manual with “do’s” and “don’ts”. A bowl, brush, bone, leash, collar, ID tag, ID card, puppy jacket and 5-pound bag of dog food are included. Future items purchased for the puppy are tax deductible. After orientation, volunteers will be given their puppy.
Puppy raiser duties include:
- Training the puppy how to walk on a leash
- Teaching the puppy to sit, stay, lay down, and come when called
- Attending obedience classes and monthly meetings
- Helping the puppy interact with other dogs
- Exposing the puppy to different situations including construction sites, children, and heavy traffic areas
The puppy will be transferred from the foster home to what the GDA describes as “guide dog college” when the puppy is around 18 months old. The remainder of the puppy’s training takes four to six months, during which time the puppy raiser is not allowed visiting, but may receive progress updates.
GDA volunteer puppy raisers can meet the blind and visually impaired recipients of the guide dogs at a graduation ceremony.
