Puppy Raisers for Seeing Eye?

[jachimama]

Hi! I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with being a puppy raiser for the Seeing Eye? I am in the preliminary stages of applying to become a puppy raiser with the 4H/Seeing Eye program. Was hoping to connect with others who have done this. I am very excited

[MollyMonster]

I know someone from another forum who is and could pass along your e-mail if you want to PM me. He's raised a ton of pups for them. I'm a puppy raiser for a mobility assistance organization and it's a good time...they'll break your heart, but it's totally worth it.

[Presidential]

Is it a youth program in 4H?

[jachimama]

Hi! I"m sorry I'm just getting back to you now I've had a crazy week with my pug and haven't checked the messages! This is definitely through the 4H program and my kids are going to be involved as well. I have spoken to the coordinator in my local area and will be going to my first meeting the 23rd of this month! I would love to go to the first meeting of the year on the 9th, however I have back to school night that night and can't do both. I was just hoping to meet people that do this to share some experiences both good and bad

[sho6md]

I was a puppyraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I raised 5 puppies for them and adopted my last one because she was released. You're doing a great thing. You will find the program very rewarding. I don't have Seeing Eye experience but I'm sure that all the programs are very similar. Good luck to you and your future pup.

[jachimama]

Originally Posted by sho6md

I was a puppyraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I raised 5 puppies for them and adopted my last one because she was released. You're doing a great thing. You will find the program very rewarding. I don't have Seeing Eye experience but I'm sure that all the programs are very similar. Good luck to you and your future pup.

Thank you I am looking forward to it, but also happy that it takes about a year for the whole process to become real since it's been a while since I've had a puppy

One thing I forgot to ask the coordinator is if I will still be able to be active in rescue/fostering while raising the pup?

[sho6md]

You would have to ask your specific group but with GEB, the answer was no. We were not even allowed to dog sit for friends. They put a lot of money into these dogs and do not want to risk injury or illness. They did not want our dogs to interact with any other dogs except our own pet dogs.

If you did rescue type work, it would probably have to be at a shelter or maybe transport but leaving the dog at home.

[jachimama]

Originally Posted by sho6md

You would have to ask your specific group but with GEB, the answer was no. We were not even allowed to dog sit for friends. They put a lot of money into these dogs and do not want to risk injury or illness. They did not want our dogs to interact with any other dogs except our own pet dogs.

If you did rescue type work, it would probably have to be at a shelter or maybe transport but leaving the dog at home.

Thank you! Thats what I figured... I'll talk with her more about it next time I talk to her, it can't hurt to ask

[NoMonstersHere]

Originally Posted by jachimama

One thing I forgot to ask the coordinator is if I will still be able to be active in rescue/fostering while raising the pup?

With Guide Dogs for the Blind, we don't have a specific rule about fostering rescues and such. Our rule is about the age of the dogs. They have to be a minimum of 8 months apart in age.

So, each program is different I started as a 4H raiser 20 years ago (ACk!) My experience back then was much more selfish than it is now. I was a super super shy kid. Raising puppies did a lot for my confidence level and helping me with the whole shyness thing. I think I had so much to work on personally that it wasn't so much about giving back then.

I have continued raising. After aging out of 4H, I became an adult raiser through college, and am now a community leader and raiser. The program has been an amazing addition to my life. Watching the kids I work with change and grow has been amazing. Watching the dogs go off and change lives has been amazing. Meeting so many great people has been a huge blessing in my life. Its just all around a good thing

Does it take a full year for you to even GET a puppy to raise? Or are you saying it is a year long program with the puppy?

Good luck!

[jachimama]

Originally Posted by NoMonstersHere

Does it take a full year for you to even GET a puppy to raise? Or are you saying it is a year long program with the puppy?

Good luck!

I haven't even put in the application yet, I want to go to a few meetings with the kids and check it all out, figure we'll fill out the app late fall... the coordinator says it'll take about 2-3 months to get approved and then probably another 6-8 months to get the puppy... so, giving/taking a few months I estimate about a year This gives me plenty of time to research and puppy proof and get more acquainted with the program

[NoMonstersHere]

Wow! That's a long process! For us, people have to come to 3 meetings (we meet 3 times a month). At that point, we schedule the home interview and the paperwork is filled out. If the house meets the criteria, they are approved to puppy sit - new raisers are required to complete 5 days of puppy sitting prior to getting a puppy. They also need to go to a graduation ceremony.

We puppy in the puppy request once they are approved to puppy sit. The wait varies, but since we are so close to the school, we generally get pups pretty quickly.

So my new family that started coming last month is scheduled for a Sept 20th home interview. I would guess they will have a puppy by November 1 - or at least a puppy assignment.

One of CCI's headquarters is in our area too. We lose several potential raisers to them because they will place a puppy with you within a couple weeks.

Amazing how different all the programs are!

I stumbled on your post asking if anyone has raised puppies for the Seeing Eye. I am going on 4 years and our 3rd pup will be going back this winter.

I have to say that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. The Seeing Eye is a wonderful organization. The staff is very professional and compassionate. Although it's affiliation with the 4-H creates a great environment for kids to learn and mature into leaders, there are many adults who raise pups as well. What county will you be affiliated with? The club leaders are a great source of information. To get a true feeling for the experience, tag along on a few of the club's events. Some will also let you work with a dog during the obedience circle at their monthly meetings.

The process of waiting for your first puppy is lengthy, but totally worth the wait. I understand that there are a lot of applicants this year. Hang in there. If you have any questions, please let me know. I'll try to log in again soon.

[oceancookie]

Totally just came across this thread...I've been a raiser for 2 years and this will be my 5th year involved with the program. Humphrey was my only pup in that time but I've helped in training over 30 dogs...Im a student at Rutgers U and we have our own club right on campus. It's a really tough "screening process" for us..much tougher than county clubs. I didnt get asked till I was a junior and I had "puppysat" over 20 dogs by that point to prove that I was able to handle taking care of a pup by myself...after receiving my app...I waited for 6 months for my black ball of fluff...but I know people who waited 2 months for theirs (to the day actually...lol) so the wait varies depending on the breed.

It's a great learning experience and really teaches kids responsibility and patience. It's one of the most rewarding things I have ever done...and even though Humphrey was dropped (surplus) I see the other dogs I've helped train go on to work and it makes me smile. You root for dogs and feel so happy for the families when their dogs go work (or better...go in for breeding!)

Good luck and I hope you decide to join the program

[Deanna]

Hello, I am a 'puppy walker' for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. I am on my first puppy, a yellow lab named Minnie II. She arrived at 9 weeks of age (I was away the week prior, when she 'should have' arrived) and is now just over 9 months old. Thus far, it has been an enjoyable experience ... with some puppy nipping and sore arm (left) along the way. She has been a wonderful puppy ... I know I will be heartbroken when she goes back for her formal training and her subsequent placement. I don't have other dogs but have 2 cats which was ok with the CGDB. She is allowed to play with other dogs, 'puppy play dates', but has to learn that it is only 'ok' when she is allowed (sometimes a little challenging).

With the CGDB fosters, they are with the 'puppy walker' for 14 - 18 months. We attend weekly obedience training sessions (I am now on the 3rd in the series), have a 'mobility handler' that we meet with (at stores, shopping malls, on transit etc) every couple of weeks. We do have restrictions in that the puppies are not allowed balls, sticks etc; just Kongs, Nylabones and sterile bones. No fetch / retrieve, no swimming ~ all very understandable. The puppy's are not allowed on furniture (ok by me, but Minnie thinks she is a 'cat' and if the cats are allowed to go there she sees no reason she cannot, that is when I am not around, otherwise she knows she is not allowed on furniture). Oh yes, no treats whatsoever other than her food (pieces of kibble) ~ also understandable.

I have found it very rewarding thus far and would probably do it again (depending on how badly my heart is broken when she returns to CGDB).

Oceancookie - My 2nd was released due to surplus also. I was fortunately able to adopt her and am assuming from the picture, you were able to adopt Humphrey as well. How's that going? What activities are you involved with to keep him busy. Leann is doing well, but you can see that she clearly wants to be out and about with me. We are enrolled in a few different programs to help keep her active and stimulated. Somehow, the walks just aren't enough...sigh