Brisbane Kids love pets, and puppies are definitely firm favourites for their cheeky and energetic playfulness, their beautiful and loyal companionship and of course their squidgy, furry cuteness! Raising a puppy can be a joyful and enriching experience, especially for kids, but raising a puppy as a guide dog can be all that and more! So if you’ve ever considered getting a puppy, what could be better than doing it for an amazing cause? We take a look at Guide Dog Queensland’s amazing services and how you can make a difference by being a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser!
Why support Guide Dogs Queensland?
Currently in Australia, there are 90,000 blind people and 300,000 with a vision condition, with numbers increasing all the time. For these people and their families, there can be many challenges to overcome in order to enjoy a full and happy life with confidence, ability and independence. Here to help them do just that, Guide Dogs Queensland is our state’s main not-for-profit association providing training and support to those who are blind or vision impaired.
Guide Dogs Queensland’s mission is to equip, empower and educate blind or vision impaired Queenslanders. They lead people to independence through safe mobility, not only through their guide dogs, but also through a whole range of fantastic support services and orientation and mobility services, from white cane and electronic travel aid training to counselling and community education. They also offer amazing services specifically for children, such as providing early counselling, resource and support information, mobility training and orientation skills through fun and safe child-friendly activities. And what’s more, Guide Dogs Queensland provides all of these services free of charge.
Support for kids
On top of its general services, Brisbane Kids especially loves Guide Dogs Queensland’s extensive children’s and young people’s programmes assisting blind and vision impaired kids. Their Early Learning Mobility Program holds classes twice a month for children who are blind and visually impaired. The highly experienced Orientation and Mobility instructors teach them special awareness, concepts and structured movement through structured, play-based learning. They also provide an After School Mobility Klub on various dates throughout the year, as well as running camps for kids during the school holidays, helping differing age groups to focus on mobility and independence, with the chance for kids to make new friends and parents to network with others going through a similar journey.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. You can contact Guide Dogs Queensland in Brisbane on 07 3500 9060 or email rehab@guidedogsqld.org.
Why be a Puppy Raiser?
Guide Dogs Queensland receives no Government funding for their Guide Dog training programme. As such, they rely on support from the community and are always in need of puppy sponsorships and volunteer Puppy Raisers in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
By being a Puppy Raiser, you can experience all the delights of having a wonderful bundle of puppy joy at the same time as all the satisfaction from raising it into a beautiful dog that can go on to become a reliable guide, companion and best friend to someone in need.
What being a Puppy Raiser involves
Raising a Guide Dog puppy involves lots of love and fun, but it’s not all cute toilet roll chases down the corridor! For those who are serious about becoming a Puppy Raiser (and we really hope you are!) here’s a bit more about what’s involved.
The aim of being a Puppy Raiser is to help nurture confident, friendly, well-behaved dogs from 10-12 weeks old until they are 12 months old and ready to begin Guide Dog training. This involves:
• regular visits to public places, e.g. shopping centres, cafes and restaurants;
• regular group training sessions in your local area;
• regular car travel and travel on public transport;
• socialisation with other well-behaved animals;
• exposure to a range of people of varying ages; and
• time, love, licks and tummy tickles!
What you need to become a Puppy Raiser
To become a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs Queensland, you need to:
• live in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast;
• have a fenced, safe and secure yard;
• be not working full-time, and if working have flexible part-time or casual hours;
• not have children below five years of age;
• be willing to have a puppy live inside your home (including sleeping indoors) for up to 12 months;
• be able to spend most of your time with the puppy, not leaving it for long periods alone;
• be keen to learn about dog behaviour, with time available to attend training sessions; and
• have a driver’s license and access to a suitable vehicle.
What you will receive
Being a Puppy Raise for Guide Dogs Queensland isn’t about doing it alone. To help and support you, you will receive:
• one adorable puppy!
• support from a Puppy Development Supervisor
• dog food;
• bedding;
• veterinary care, including monthly parasite control;
• all equipment and toys; and
• a truly rewarding experience!
How can you help
Guide Dogs Queensland provides life-changing services for those in need, but they can only continue doing so at no cost with your support. Here’s how you can “Give the gift of mobility, independence and freedom” –
• Become a Puppy Raiser!
If you are interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser, call Guide Dogs Queensland on Freecall 1800 810 122 or apply online here.
• Make a donation
Whatever amount you donate, large or small, will go directly towards supporting blind or vision impaired Queenslanders. Public donations are much needed and greatly appreciated.
• Make a bequest
You can even make a bequest to Guide Dogs Queensland in your will.
We hope you can help support Guide Dogs Queensland to continue their amazing work for these very special and deserving people.
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