Become a foster carer for a Seeing Eye Dog

Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia is encouraging North Lakes locals to become a foster carer for a Seeing Eyes Dogs puppy this year.

Seeing Eyes Dogs will be holding an information session in North Lakes on February 1.

Puppy carers play a vital role in the training and development of Seeing Eye Dogs, with more than 200 puppies entering the program each year.

Seeing Eyes Dogs’ manager of puppy development Jane Bradley says the more carers, the better, as prospective owners currently wait seven months to be matched with a fully trained dog.

“The earlier we can place a puppy with a carer, the earlier they start learning the skills and behaviours needed to be a Seeing Eye Dog. Delays in placing puppies with carers have a flow on effect to when somebody who is blind or has low vision may be matched with a life changing Seeing Eye Dog," Jane says.

“Our volunteer puppy carers are an integral part of the training and development of Seeing Eye Dogs. Carers take puppies into their home when they’re about 12 weeks old and care for them until they enter formal training at around 12-15 months old.

“While with carers, the focus is on the pups learning basic cues and socialisation skills. Carers are supported in this by a Seeing Eye Dogs puppy development trainer and all food and vet bills are covered by Seeing Eye Dogs.

“For many people who are blind or have low vision, a Seeing Eye Dog is their key to being an active and independent member of the community. Without the support of our puppy carers, we wouldn’t be able to train and develop the number of Seeing Eye Dogs we require to meet the needs of our client base.”

The information session will be held in the North Lakes Community Centre at 10 The Corse, North Lakes, from noon to 1pm.

Register or find out more about puppy caring here.