Home About us For volunteers For organisations For groups Find opportunities Contact us

Find opportunities

Specialist / Technical

Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser

  • Guide Dogs (North East Scotland)
  • VO89627

Description

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad.

“It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:
• Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme
• Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons.
• Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours
• Attending regular puppy classes
• Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development
• Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress

-Ideally you will:
• Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg)
• Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits
• Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home
• Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night
• Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address)

If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible!

-Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get;
• A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us.
• The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home.
• The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog.

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.

-For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/
or
-If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

Organisation aims and objectives

Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full.

Frequency and commitment details

Raising a future Guide Dog puppy can take as long as 24 months. Any potential volunteer must be prepared to commit for this duration.

Restrictions

Experience required: No previous experience is necessary to become a volunteer Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs. All training is provided however applicants should be able to handle a large dog (Labrador, Golden Retriever and German Shepherds and their crosses). Your own home or written permission from your landlord is necessary as is a secure outdoor space for the puppy.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Pre-agreed expenses will be paid in line with the organisations expenses policy.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Last updated 3 months ago

Similar opportunities

2nd Hawick Boys' Brigade are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help lead games and sporty activities for their children and young people in the Anchors and Junior Sections, working with Primary 2 - Primary 6 aged children. The group meets on Wednesday evenings during term-time, taking part in a wide range of activities including crafts, games, sports, cooking, life skills and community projects.
Find out more
You don't need to be a social media or marketing expert for this role - just able to use the internet, email and confident talking to people. We’ll tell you about our latest national fundraising activities, emergency appeals and campaign messages so you can tell others and encourage them to take part, support and attend events. You’ll research local opportunities, and contact local businesses, schools and local groups. You’ll also find free ways to tell your community about what’s happening locally and nationally. The Community Fundraising Manager is only a phone call away for support and you’ll meet up with them regularly to make promotional plans and for any mutual updates. It’s a really flexible role which can fit around your other commitments. If you’re over 18 and can commit to at least two hours a week for a minimum of six months please get in touch.
Find out more
Retail Volunteer
  • Save the Children
Our Save the Children Shop in Broughty Ferry has been a much loved part of the local community for years and continues to be hugely popular with customers and supporters, thanks to the kindness and generosity of the wonderful volunteer team. If you would like to volunteer with us all you will need is some enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference. The role is diverse, taking place on the shop floor and behind the scenes. Volunteer tasks include anything from sorting donations, steaming clothes, pricing products, managing the till, and helping with the window displays. You can choose how much time you dedicate, and we’ll give you training and support along the way. No special skills are needed, and we welcome people from all nationalities and backgrounds. Your donation of time, creativity and kindness can help us change the future for children all over the world!
Find out more
Living Well Support Volunteer
  • The Ayrshire Hospice
This role is to support people living in our communities to live well with their illness. We currently do this in a variety of ways – face to face in our Hubs, online via zoom, and via activity packs in the post. You could support us in any or all of these formats. The time you would commit to this role would be flexible. Ideally, we would like ongoing (weekly) commitment to the service, particularly for face to face service and social chat online. However, if you can commit a period of time regularly to the hospice e.g. a creative writing course for 6 weeks we would also consider this. The benefits you will receive include: -The opportunity to gain experience in the charity sector -Take on a new challenge and meet new people -Opportunity to make a difference to your community -Learn and develop new skills and use existing skills to help others -Training and support to carry out your role -Reimbursement of expenses in accordance with our volunteer expenses policy
Find out more