Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is in need of volunteers, and one of the tasks could be to raise puppies to help give others freedom and independence. The organization does not receive government funding and is reliant on public support, events and fundraising coordinator Jason Guo told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Tuesday, and volunteers are a big part of it. “We have numerous volunteer positions: we have bingo volunteer, driver volunteer, events volunteer, and, of course, puppy walker volunteers,” Guo said. “Puppy walkers will have the puppies up to 18 months to teach them the basics. The puppy will come back to our organization to take the official training and then to take the tests and so on to become an official guide dog in the future.” Guo says anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity can visit guidedogs.ca or email events@guidedogs.ca The life of a puppy walker Puppy walker volunteer Barbara Annas says the experience is very rewarding. “You put in some hard work and the beginning of it is usually the hardest part of it, but once you’ve got them trained and they know their basic obedience and socialization skills, it’s just being consistent with them,” she told CTV Your Morning Ottawa. You don’t have to be a dog-raising expert to be a puppy worker, she says. “We are supported by a puppy walker supervisor, who we meet on a regular basis to make sure everything is at the proper learning and the proper skills and there are obedience classes we attend with the dogs,” she says. According to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, they’re looking for responsible adults who are home most of the day or can take the dog to work, for a 12– to 18-month commitment. All vet costs are covered, and food is provided. Volunteers socialize the puppies by gradually introducing them to various environments, from home to public spaces. Renters must provide written landlord permission, and a vehicle is needed for training and vet visits. People interested in the puppy walker program are asked to attend a 60-minute info session via Zoom. You can sign up using the form on guidedogs.ca or by calling 613-692-7777.
