As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll welcome a future Guide Dog into your home for their first vital year, nurturing them with love, patience and new experiences until they’re ready to return to us to start their formal training.
Imagine tiny paws pitter-pattering through your home, a wagging tail that greets you each morning, and the joy of teaching a clever pup about the world.
As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll provide the foundational love and training for a future Guide Dog from the time they’re about eight-weeks-old until they return to us, ready for the next chapter, from 12 to 14 months old.
Our ideal Puppy Raisers are people who:
– Mikaela, Puppy Raiser
Absolutely. We’re always on the lookout for dedicated Puppy Raisers to meet the growing needs of the blind and low vision community. Go ahead and register your interest – when you’re ready, we’ll coordinate with you to get started on this exciting journey.
It’s true – saying goodbye to this canine cutie can be tough. Ask any Puppy Raiser, and they’ll tell you that parting ways is the hardest part. But ask them if they’d do it all over again, and they’ll wholeheartedly say yes without hesitation. While it’s natural to form a bond over the 12 months, witnessing the profound impact the puppy has on someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. Remember, the puppy might be precious to you, but they’re a lifeline to someone with low vision or blindness. And with every goodbye, there’s the joy of welcoming a new pup into your home!
As a Puppy Raiser, you’re never alone. Guide Dogs Victoria provides:
Our advisors are experts in the field of puppy behaviour and personal interactions. They have helped thousands of puppies ‘grow up’ over the years, so you can be confident you’re receiving the highest quality support in every situation.
Yes, definitely! We have a fantastic network of Temporary Carers who can step in when you’re away. Whether it’s a short break or a longer holiday, we can arrange for one of our Temporary Carers to take over until you return.
Welcoming a puppy into your home and family to love, nurture and teach it for almost a year, and then say goodbye, takes courage and commitment. After 12 months of loving care, the puppy will return to our facilities for assessment and further training. And you can always apply to raise a new pup!
If you wish to Puppy Raise again, talk to your advisor. There can be variations in waiting periods for a new pup due to when they are born and the number of applicants already waiting. In the meantime, you can also act as a Temporary Carer until a new pup is ready to come home with you.
If you’re excited about the role, start by reviewing our Puppy Raiser requirements in addition to those listed above.
Once you’re ready to go, simply submit your expression of interest below. We’ll then be in touch to guide you through next steps.
Our Puppy Development Team will review your expression of interest within seven business days.
If accepted, you’ll be invited to an information session to learn more about this challenging and rewarding commitment.
Remember, if we do not have any Puppy Raiser spots available or you cannot commit to 12 months, you can also support Guide Dog puppies by making a tax-deductible donation. Your donations help provide play kits, comfy beds, puppy vaccination packs, and essential supplies for our pups.
There are so many ways to get involved and support the Guide Dogs community. If Puppy Raising isn’t right for you, you could consider:
