Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
Heartbreak on the Iron Bridge: Witnesses Weep as a Desperate Dog Is Abandoned
The dog was pleading for aid! They tied him up on the roadway and departed. A string of automobiles passed repeatedly but not a single one stopped. They notice the unfortunate dog but they don’t want to take him home to care, or just liberate him from the shackles.
That forces his life to death! The leash is so tight that the dog can’t get out. He was afraid, sat shivering on the railing and wept.
The dog is just around a month old. The individuals who ruthlessly abandoned him they don’t deserve to live in this world. God will punish them. They are callous and inhuman and they will have to receive vengeance for the anguish they caused this innocent pooch!
A good samaritan found him and chose to brought him home. He showered and scrubbed him of filth and the agony of the past!
He is stable and healthy. After being vaccinated and provided with required vitamins, today Lancy is ready for the next trip of her life.
There will be difficulties, but he will always have excellent people on his side. Lancy always wants to be loved and will always adore everyone who loves him!
Please share this story with your friends and family members! And don’t forget to offer Lancy warmest wishes!
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