Guide Dogs of America Needs Volunteer ‘Puppy Raisers'

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?

She literally devoured worms and gave birth without eating for a month, demonstrating her amazing will to care for and protect her babies in spite of her own agony.

The owner died more than a month ago. The son also abandoned her; we assume she was ready to give birth since the babies if they reach a month are many. She gave birth there and went a month without eating.

We don’t know how she survived, or how those two tiny soldiers survived. Caught on her mother’s breast, without a drop of milk and suffering from severe anemia, she was physically consumed by worms. Look how frantic she was when she was released, despite the fact that her infirmity makes it difficult for her to move.

Last night, we went looking for her. You can only image how bad the stench was all over her rotten flesh. She was withering to death.

We administered first aid, medicated, administered saline, sanitized, and removed any probable worms. She also let him use the mattress. She refused to eat or drink. We didn’t know if the larger insect had impacted her throat or perforated the jaw, stopping her from doing it.

She has additional tiny bugs on her gum, pear, hand, and hip, as well as a scab on her hip… Her situation is dreadful.We looked after babies who, thankfully, did not have bugs. They simply begin eating. We applied flea powder to them and dewormed them.