Being a puppy walker
and how to socialise and have good manners, walkers are expected to introduce them to busy environments where they will eventually work as a guide dog.
Stewartfield mum-ofthree Julie, 46, has looked after golden labrador Rosha for the last 11 months and attends monthly obedience classes at East Kilbride’s British Legion.
She said:“There is a real demand for puppy walkers. For there to only be eight of us in a town the size of East Kilbride is not great. What puts people off is having to give the dogs away at the end, but you get so much joy in between.”
Julie says her children love living with guide dog puppies and, as well as the obvious perks, learning to look after the puppies is educational for them too.
“I started volunteering when Jonathan was five so he has grown up with the dogs,”she said.
“Being a puppy walker is great for families and good for children. They learn responsibility and learn to help others.
“It’s nice for them to know they’re helping someone else and be part of the bigger picture.
“Guide dogs really do make a huge difference to people’s lives, giving them independence and taking them out of isolation.
“It’s amazing when you see the end result.”
Appealing for help, Julie added:“Volunteers are the backbone of this charity.
“There are limitations to who can do this though, the puppies go wherever you go and you can’t leave them alone for more than three hours.
“You really need to be committed to this full-time.”