How I ended up being A guide dog Puppy Raiser
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How I ended up being a guide dog Puppy Raiser brings us back more than 5 years ago. everything started at the Orange region Pet Expo method back in 2006. ending up being a guide dog puppy raiser was one of a number of volunteer activities I was thinking about at the time.
In the past I had volunteered for many other organizations, however now I wished to do something to assist out people as well as animals. The number 1 as well as number 2 volunteer activities on my listing were:
Fostering Dogs as well as Puppies
Guide dog Puppy Raiser
Here’s exactly how we went from volunteering for organizations such as habitat for Humanity as well as special Olympics to Fostering Dogs as well as Puppies to lastly ending up being guide dog Puppy Raisers!
Fostering Dogs as well as Puppies
As I mentioned earlier I was thinking about volunteering my time assisting both people as well as animals. Back in 2006 I had just recently volunteered to assist put up dry wall at one of the regional habit for humanity houses as well as while it was/is extremely satisfying to assist out others by building a house I wished to do something that included assisting out both people as well as animals.
A few weeks after putting up drywall for habitat for Humanity I went to the OC Pet Expo which is held every year in April at the Orange region Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA about 15 minutes from my house. I spoken to many of the volunteers at different organizations as well as decided that I either wished to volunteer as a foster parent for dogs as well as puppies or as a guide dog Puppy Raiser.
Becoming a guide dog Puppy Raiser was a long term commitment. most organizations needed you to raise a puppy from approximately 7 weeks of age up until they were 18 months old…that’s almost 1 1/2 years!!! However, fostering was much more short term as well as usually lasted up until your foster puppy was adopted. I therefore opted to try fostering with a regional rescue called Cuddly Canines. We had the chance to rescue as well as embrace out two litters of puppies as well as a 4 year old purebred long haired German Shepherd. Here’s a photo of the German Shepherd puppies we rescued:
I truly enjoyed fostering puppies. Out of the twelve puppies as well as dogs we fostered the shortest stay in our house was 2 weeks as well as the longest stay was 3 months. However, I have heard that some dogs as well as puppies can end up at your house for much longer than 3 months.
Guide dog Puppy Raisers
I truly enjoyed fostering puppies however, I wished to provide guide dog Puppy increasing a try. I understood the commitment would be much longer then fostering, however the believed of assisting raise, train, as well as interact socially a puppy to ended up being a working guide dog for somebody in requirement sounded like an incredible method to spend my free time.
So I went ahead as well as submitted my application to the three regional guide dog organizations with groups found in southern California: guide Dogs of America, guide Dogs for the Blind, as well as guide Dogs of the Desert.
Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) – GDB was the very first organization to get in touch with me. I spoken to two of GDB’s group leaders as well as likewise went to a number of meetings as well as outings. I was extremely much on the verge of joining GDB as a puppy raiser.
Guide Dogs of America (GDA) – I submitted my application to GDA in October, I called the puppy department three times, as well as I emailed them a number of times. I was extremely persistent, however I almost provided up on GDA up until late December when I was lastly arranged for a house interview.
Guide Dogs of the Desert (GDD) – I submitted my application as well as emailed them a number of times, however never heard back from them.
I understand all of these organizations are extremely hectic so I don’t fault any type of of them when it takes a bit time to get back in touch. guide Dogs for the Blind was by far the fastest as well as most responsive of the three organizations. However, after going to a number of group meetings I felt like I was lost amongst a big group as well as had some problem making a connection. As I mentioned guide Dogs for the Desert never got back in touch with me after I sent my application so I truly can’t comment on their group meetings or activities. Finally, after waiting almost 3 months I had the chance to speak with the Orange region guide Dogs of America (OCGDA) group leader on the phone as well as then during our house interview. After speaking to Tammy as well as going to a number of group meetings I truly enjoyed the smaller more personable Orange region guide dog Puppy increasing group. I went ahead as well as decided that the Orange region guide Dogs of America Puppy increasing group was thenull