Can you help look after a Guide Dog?

WOULD you like to have a trainee Guide Dog staying in your home during the last weeks of their training?

Do you have flexibility so that the dog can ‘come home’ during the day when they are not training with our staff?

Do you have a private enclosed garden or yard with a hard area where the dog can do its ‘business’?

If your answer to these questions is ‘yes’ you could be a volunteer boarder.

Boarders take dogs into their homes for the final 12-16 weeks of their training and provide a calm, loving home where the dog can rest and relax when they are not training.

Due to the ‘new normal,’ our trainers will need to pick up and drop off the dog at different times in the day so you will need to be flexible in terms of your availability, and have the capacity to have your four legged house guest stay with you all weekend.

Our boarders have an informal interview, a home check and need to commit to a day of training which, in current circumstances, will be completed via Zoom or similar.

We will also ask you to commit to following our advice on exercise, behaviour and feeding. Whilst you enjoy the companionship of one of our beautiful dogs, Guide Dogs will

pay for food and any vet bills whilst our trainers will provide day to day support and you will become part of our friendly and supportive local team.

We are currently recruiting boarders in Benton, Forest Hall, Gosforth, Jesmond, Wallsend, South Tyneside, and Roker and Fulwell areas of Sunderland.

To find out more please contact me on 03451 430220 or claire.devine@guidedogs.org.uk

CLAIRE DEVINE, Regional Volunteer Advisor – North East England, The Guide Dogs for

the Blind Association