A UK-based charity is calling for more volunteers in Jersey to take up the “exciting and rewarding opportunity” of raising guide dog puppies.
Guide Dogs relies on volunteers to look after its puppies for 12 to 16 months, giving them “a vital foundation” for their future role of helping people affected by sight loss.
They then go back to the UK for the next stage of their training and hopefully become guide dogs at around two years of age.
Once they qualify as a guide dog, they could end up anywhere in the UK or Channel Islands.
One such puppy, Chrissie, arrived in Jersey in September at ten weeks old, and is living with Yvonne and Richard Pascoe.
Yvonne said: “We both love being puppy raisers.
“It’s hard work but you know you’re doing something very worthwhile – helping to bring independence, freedom and confidence to someone with sight loss.
“You also get to meet so many people when you’re out and about which I really enjoy.”
Puppy raisers receive training and are supported by an advisor, and Guide Dogs pays for all essential costs, including food and vet bills.
Puppy development advisor Leanne Kelly said: “Being a puppy raiser is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to raise a guide dog puppy and prepare them for their future role supporting someone with sight loss.
“We’ll provide you with training over the winter and once your puppy arrives in spring, we’ll keep in touch by phone and email with in-person visits around every six weeks.
“With your support, we can help train more life-changing guide dogs for people living with sight loss.”
Volunteers must be aged over 18 with suitable housing to provide a loving home.
“Caring for a puppy is a full-time commitment so you’ll need plenty of time to invest in raising the puppy, and be able to give them regular attention throughout the day,” according to the charity.
“Some training is delivered online so you’ll also have a computer or other device to access this.”