Volunteer puppy parents
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy, but for guide dog puppy walkers, it’s paw and parcel of the job.
Guide dogs are life changing companions for vision impaired New Zealanders, but before they earn their red jackets, they’re entrusted to a nationwide network of volunteer puppy walkers.
Robyn and George Brock of Orewa have always been dog people.
Meeting in the UK, the pair decided to marry and move to Robyn’s home in New Zealand in 1978, but not without George’s dog, who made the journey with them.
Now retired, the Brocks enjoy adopting guide dogs for the Blind Foundation.
As puppy walkers, the Brocks receive puppies at around eight weeks old, and look after them until they graduate to specialised guide dog training, at around two years old.
Their role is to teach the puppies standard commands, and get them well socialised and familiar with people, places and pets.
It may sounds like a dream job, but it takes a lot of time and commitment, and ‘‘it’s like bringing up a family - what you put in, you get out,’’ George says. ‘‘Everywhere we go, they go’’. The Brocks have kept in touch with some of their guide dog recipients, and say they’ve been thrilled to be able to see their past pups on the job.
‘‘It’s amazing to see how they completely change the lives of a blind person,’’ Robyn says.
And the Brocks weren’t the only ones excited to catch up.
The dogs recognised their puppy-walkers immediately, and one ‘‘nearly broke down the security door’’ in excitement to be reunited.
Like any pet, the hardest part is always the goodbye.
The Brocks usually adopt a new puppy as soon as theirs graduates to training, but ‘‘it never makes it easier,’’ George says.
‘‘You have to think of what they’re going on to do - the end result,’’ Robyn says.
The Blind Foundation pays for all of the puppies’ expenses, including vet bills and food.
To continue this service, the Blind Foundation relies on donations, and is in need of volunteers for the 2017 Red Puppy Appeal on March 24 and 25.
The Blind Foundation’s Cherie McClintock says the waiting list for guide dogs can be reduced if more guide dogs are bred and trained.
‘‘The costs for breeding and training a guide dog are fully funded by public donations and sponsorship,’’ she McClintock.
‘‘Guide dogs couldn’t do what they do without help and support from fellow New Zealanders.’’
Visit redpuppy.org.nz or phone 0800 PUPPIES for more information.
‘‘They completely change the lives of a blind person’’
Robyn Brock