Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
About 50 people showed their interest in helping to nurture the guide dogs of the future when they took part in a puppy raising seminar in Moonta this month.
The event was held by Guide Dogs South Australia/Northern Territory at the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Copper Coast sub branch on Thursday, May 9.
The seminar was part of an initiative announced by the organisation in January to recruit Copper Coast locals to help out with the next generation of guide dogs.
It is the first time the puppy raising program has been extended beyond metropolitan Adelaide.
Guide Dogs SA/NT dog services operations manager Cindy Chewter said two people had signed up for the Copper Coast program and another two had expressed interest after the seminar.
“We have had healthy interest and we’re keen to sign up more, to reach our target of 10 puppy raisers on the Copper Coast,” she said.
“We are hoping to hold another seminar in the local area soon.”
Guide Dogs SA/NT volunteer coordinator Beth Woods said the Copper Coast had been selected for the puppy program because it had a supportive community.
“The fact is that we wanted a community environment for our puppy raisers so that they can work together to raise puppies to be guide dogs,” she said.
Ms Chewter said local people who signed up to raise a puppy would be supported by a team, including guide dog trainer Robbie Bastianpillai, who has been assigned the Copper Coast region.
Mr Bastianpillai told seminar participants that, in addition to being provided with face-to-face training, puppy raisers could also access a 24-hour support hotline.
“The cost (for puppy raisers) is zero, because we pay for all expenses including veterinary bills, food, worming tablets and so on,” he said.
“When you see a (guide) dog out helping someone, that is your best reward.”
Puppy raisers are given pups aged 8 to 10 weeks and care for them until they are assessed as mature enough to move to the next level of training, usually at 12-16 months.
The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Copper Coast Sub Branch made its clubrooms available free of charge for the event.
“We were very pleased – it was a very successful day,” sub branch president Keith Wilkinson said.
For more information go to sant.guidedogs.com.au/get-involved/becomepuppy-raiser.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 21 May 2024.
