Get set for the pitter patter of puppy feet in Rockhampton - February 2011

Rockhampton’s streets will soon be brightened by the pitter patter of Guide Dog puppy feet with Guide Dogs Queensland now calling on local people to raise their puppies.
For the first time in its 50 year history, GDQ is offering residents the chance to take home a puppy for 12 months and raise it as a future Guide Dog.
The association urgently needs foster homes for up to 15 gorgeous Labrador and Golden Retriever puppies, and hopes to place them in local homes as soon as possible.
Traditionally, GDQ has placed puppies only in the Brisbane metropolitan region but with more puppies coming onto the program, the decision was made to place pups further afield.
GDQ’s new Puppy Development Supervisor in Rockhampton, Kara Deane-Freeman, said the city was ideal given its size, facilities and the level of support the association receives from the community.
“The region has always generously supported our work for clients who are blind or vision impaired, so we are excited to be offering Puppy Raising as an opportunity for local people to actually get involved with our programs,” Ms Deane-Freeman said. She said GDQ was inviting expressions of interest from people in the Rockhampton and Yeppoon residential areas and would hold an information session in the coming weeks.
Ms Deane-Freeman said the role was voluntary and best suited to people not working full time, with a secure yard, and a willingness to learn dog handling skills.
“The job involves taking the pup on daily walks, teaching basic obedience and having it live inside the home with the family. Applicants should have plenty of time to spare and be prepared to care for the pup from 10 weeks until about 15 months of age. Cont’d….
“The aim is to socialise the puppy to our environment so they become well mannered and well adjusted young adult dogs who are ready to enter formal Guide Dog training. This means the pup goes everywhere with the Puppy Raiser.”
As a supervisor on the Puppy Development Program, Ms Deane-Freeman is overseeing the program in Rockhampton and will give all the training, advice and support volunteers need to do the job well.
“We supply all equipment, food, bedding and vet support, and provide regular education and training visits to make sure Puppy Raisers are well supported in the role,” she said.
Ms Deane-Freeman said it cost the association $30,000 to breed, train and place every Guide Dog with a client and every cent of this cost was sourced from the community.
“The association receives less than seven per cent in government funding but none is for our Guide Dog service so we rely on volunteers to raise our pups, and on donations from the community to fund their training.”
She said people could help train the pups for less than one dollar a day by becoming a Puppy Guardian through an online registration form at this link.
People interested in raising a puppy need to meet certain criteria and can register for a free information session in Rockhampton by contacting Sharon Callow Lugg on 3261 7555 or email: S.Callow-Lugg@guidedogsqld.com.au
Applications to the program can also be made online by clicking here.