When Blue ing (r, Blue) the it Bull was adopted into a family, he was very happy.
He adored them and did everything he could to make them happy. But one day, when they had a new home, the family casually decided to “let him go.” They drew him from a high-risk shelter and he never returned.
Blue was miserable at the shelter, but he was confident that his family would return for him. But he was devastated as the cruel realization set in.
He got er-thinking because he thought his family despised him because he wasn’t a “good by.” Sn, wrers discovered him sbbing in the ennel, tears streaming down his cheeks.
The shelter attempted to cheer Blue up by providing him with his favorite meal. Blue, on the other hand, refused to l at the fd. When the wrers etted him, he stood wagging his tail and walked away.
He prayed nonstop for his family to return. When the shelter learned of his desperate situation, they shared his story on social media and begged everyone to help him.
The shelter attempted to cheer Blue up by providing him with his favorite meal. Blue, on the other hand, refused to l at the fd. When the wrers etted him, he stood wagging his tail and walked away. He prayed nonstop for his family to return. When the shelter learned of his desperate situation, they shared his story on social media and begged everyone to help him.
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?
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