Puppy Walkers Are Needed to Raise Guide Dogs

If you love puppies and also want to make a difference in the life of a blind person, then consider signing up for the Puppy Walker program.

Puppy Walkers provide temporary homes for puppies that will later be trained to as guide dogs. When potential guide dogs are only a 7-week-old puppy, they're placed into the care of Puppy Walkers. Not only do Puppy Walkers housebreak their puppies, but they also teach good manner, walk them most everywhere they go, as well as nurture them with love and attention. Then, when the puppies are between 12 and 14 months old, they return them so they can continue their training as guide dogs for a blind people.

Qualifications

Not just anyone who loves puppies qualifies as a Puppy Walker. A few of the criteria for the job include...

*Over 18 years of age-Although children may be involved in the training, the trainer in charge of the puppy must be an adult, 18 years of age or older. And, if you do let your kids work with the puppy, they must agree to all training procedures and be mature for their age.

*Time to devote to the job-It's best if you don't have a fulltime job as your puppy needs to spend as much time with you as possible. However, in some cases, owners have been able to take their pups to work. Several years ago, my friend, Julia P., of South Windsor, Connecticut brought her puppy to work at an insurance company with no problem. Amazingly, her well-behaved puppy sat by her side all day at work and didn't distract the other workers.

Ability to give up the puppy---Just as any good foster parent, a Puppy Walker must be able to surrender his (or her) best friend once the 12-14 month training period is over. If you think you're not able to do this, then it's not a good idea to start the program.

Training

You'll receive on-site training by the Guide Foundation for the Blind. Regular walks in public places such as shopping malls are required. Also, classes are held both during day and evening hours. What's more, you'll get home visits to make sure everything is going well with you and your puppy.

What about Other Pets?

If your other pets won't interfere with training your puppy, then it's not a problem. But often it doesn't work out. Unfortunately Julia P. had to give back her puppy before the training period was over because her jealous dachshund resented sharing any attention with the newest addition of the family.

Areas Currently Needing Puppy Walkers

Long Island
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens
Boston, Massachusetts
Hudson Valley of Pennsylvania and New York
Pocono Region of Pennsylvania
Maryland
Washington, D.C.
Georgia
Northern Virginia
North Carolina
Chattanooga region of Tennessee
Dallas region of Texas
West Palm Beach, Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach, Ocala Florida

If you have quality time and love to give a puppy and are willing to later give him up to be trained for a blind person, then call 866-282-8046 or 631-930-9060 to see if there's an opportunity in your area to be a Puppy Walker. Besides receiving love from a puppy, you'll also be making the difference in life of someone who's blind.