Foster a guide dog puppy

Raise a puppy to help those with sight loss

Photos by Karolina Andreasova

Imagine bringing up a dog, and helping to change someone’s life forever at the same time. The Devon branch of the charity Guide Dogs is appealing for people in the South Molton area to volunteer as ‘Puppy Raisers’.

“You feel an immense pride and satisfaction that you really have helped to change and improve someone’s life for the better,” said Lorenz Heil, who along with his wife Bridget, is already a Puppy Raiser in South Molton.

“When a guide dog owner thanks you for the role you do, enabling them to have a dog that allows them to live a life as independent as people with full vision, it’s probably the most heart-warming feeling you can have,” he told Molton Monthly. The couple’s daughter Vicks was awarded a guide dog called Courtney, which meant she could study at Bicton College and live on campus. They saw how having her dog helped her take part in college life, and give the confidence to live on her own and succeed in her course away from home.

When their last pet dog passed away, Vicks suggested they become a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs as a way of giving something back. The role is voluntary, but costs for all the food, veterinary care and equipment required is covered by the charity.

Puppy Tripp, waiting patiently

“It involves looking after future guide dogs for the first year of their lives, socialising them and giving them a loving home. It’s a hugely rewarding role with lots of support and training on offer, plus you will meet lots of new people in your area who are also raising pups,” said Exeter-based volunteer coordinator Bryony Lewis.

The puppies arrive at around 7 weeks old, and training starts immediately. You teach basic commands and help them get used to different environments like going into shops and restaurants, roads and public transport, providing the puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog.

If you think saying goodbye to your pup would be too difficult, existing volunteers say nothing beats the rewarding feeling of knowing you have played a huge part in changing someone’s life. “It’s obviously very sad seeing them go, but knowing you’ve given them the foundation to become a fully fledged guide dog makes it all worthwhile,” added Lorenz.

For more information on becoming a Puppy Raiser with Guide Dogs go to: guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/ volunteering-for-guide-dogs

Thanks to the team at Mole Valley Farmers store at Pathfields Business Park in South Molton, Lorenz and Bridget took Tripp for a training session and Molton Monthly photoshoot; plus learning to meet other dogs on the shop floor (inset)