Puppy Raiser

• Do you love puppies? Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer experience?
• Can you open your home and heart to a puppy training for their life-changing career?

Volunteer as a Puppy Raiser, help nurture our next generation of Guide Dogs, Facility Dogs and Assistance Dogs!

About Guide Dogs SA/NT

At Guide Dogs SA/NT we use our expertise in dogs and vision to promote independence, participation, inclusion and wellbeing for people with low vision, blindness or specialised support needs.

About the role

As a Puppy Raiser, you will welcome a gorgeous puppy into your life and daily routines, caring for them and introducing them to a range of new experiences and environments as they start training for a life of helping people navigate their world.

Our puppies begin training from 8-10 weeks of age in the care of their new family, and will stay in training until approximately 12-14 months old, but may be moved to other raisers in different environments during this time to aid in their development (so you don't need to be able to commit to 12 months to be a Puppy Raiser!).

Please note that not every dog chooses a career as a Guide Dog, Assistance Dog or Facility Dog. This means that sometimes, puppies are required to be withdrawn from the program. If a puppy you are raising is withdrawn from the program, the puppy will not be able to be rehomed with you, except for emergency boarding.

As a volunteer Puppy Raiser, costs will be covered (including food, bedding, toys and vet visits), and you’ll be guided every step of the way by our Puppy Raising Advisors. Our Puppy Raising Advisors provide support, training and will answer any questions you may have on the day-to-day handling of your puppy.

Your advisor will also personally help you with the puppy’s ongoing training program. Our goal is to ensure each puppy develops into a well-socialised, confident and focused dog before they embark on their formal Guide Dog training.

We are looking for volunteer Puppy Raisers in the community who:

• Are over 18 years old, have a full driver’s licence and 24/7 access to a vehicle
• Have a home and secure yard that can accommodate a puppy
• Are able to perform repetitive physical tasks such as bending, kneeling and handling a dog that could grow to be in excess of 30kg
• Can accommodate the puppy’s training and socialisation into their daily routine, including weekly 90-minute training sessions at different locations, during business hours.
• Will ensure the puppy is not left alone for more than 2-4 hours at a time. Where necessary, this may mean developing flexible work or study arrangements so the puppy can attend your workplace or university.
• Live in the Adelaide metropolitan area or surrounding areas (within approx. one hour’s drive of Adelaide).

Other Benefits

• Make a difference for people living with vision loss and specialised needs, within a supportive team who are passionate about what they do.
• Employee Assistance Program for counselling and support.
• Invitation to our Volunteer End of Year Lunch celebration!