SARASOTA (WSNN) – If you’ve got puppy fever, the Southeastern Guide Dogs has your fix.
Some Suncoast puppies are looking for temporary homes.
“We have volunteers who take our puppies from the kennel into their hearts and homes for about a year to a year and a half,” Puppy Raising Services Director, Leslie Shepard said.
Since the pandemic affected the service dog training industry across the world, the Southeastern Guides Dogs needs Puppy Raisers.
“For the first time since 2012, actually services decreased because of the challenges organizations like Southeastern Guide dogs had in training dogs,” Shepard said.
Challenges like going virtual while training volunteers and less community visibility.
As a puppy raiser, you provide the pups with all the foundational skills they’re going to need for their future working career as a guide or service dog.
“They’re taking them out and about in the community, teaching them their basic cues, and teaching them house manners,” Shepard said.
But, they go everywhere with you.
“You will take it to your job with you, you’ll take it to the grocery store,” Media Relations Manager, Muffy Lavens said. “Basically, everything they’re going to learn to do once they’re a working dog in training.”
“You are giving your heart, your time especially because it is a 24/7 commitment,” Shepard said.
While you may need to invest a lot of time, it’s a rewarding job knowing you’re helping fulfill the nonprofit’s mission.
“They’re going to bring joy and freedom to someone who needs them most,” Lavens said.
The program trains more than 1,200 dogs for people with vision loss, veterans, and children. And the non-profit pays most costs for puppy raisers, but there is a small financial commitment.
“We take care of all the veterinary bills, however, we do ask that our raisers help us out by paying for food and equipment,” Shepard said.
They raise about 250 puppies a year. If you’re interested in becoming a puppy raiser, you can click here.
