It’s like borrowing a dog ..you get all the good parts as they are lovely dogs and it’s a pleasure to spend time with them
Guide dog charity issues plea for puppy fosterers to do the doggy ‘school run’
Charity Guide Dogs Scotland has issued an urgent appeal for fosterers in Lanarkshire who can ‘do the school run’ for dogs in training.
The charity wants to hear from anyone who can care for a dog overnight and at weekends, and drop the animal off at Guide Dogs’ Hamilton office in the morning and collect them at the end of their day’s training.
Catherine Irvine, of Motherwell, has fostered three dogs while they were learning how to help someone with sight loss to live an independent life.
For three months, she and husband John looked after adorable black Labradoodle Chester, who has since gone on to qualify as a guide dog and is now living and working with a person who has a visual impairment. The couple also fostered, on a short-term basis, golden Labradors, Vera and Evie.
Catherine and John, who are both retired, recently rehomed 23-month-old golden Lab, Suzie – a guide dog-in-training, whose anxiety around other dogs meant she wouldn’t make the grade.
“My husband and I spoke about becoming fosterers a few years ago but, for one reason or another, we never pursued it,” explained Catherine, who volunteers a couple of mornings a week as one of the Hamilton centre’s ‘settlers’ – people who play with the dogs after they’re dropped off by fosterers, and keep them company while they’re not in training.
Since they decided to become fosterers, Catherine and John have reaped huge rewards. “We get so much pleasure from it,” she said. “It is really rewarding to see the dogs progress, and do what they are trained to do. I am really quite proud to be part of their journey and seeing at the end of the day how they will change people’s lives. It is amazing for me to be a part of that.”
Catherine says the fostering role is perfect for anyone who loves dogs, but whose circumstances mean they couldn’t commit to being a full-time
dog owner. “It is kind of like borrowing a dog,” she explained. “You get all the good parts. They are beautifully trained. They are lovely dogs, and it’s an absolute pleasure to spend time with them.”
Even people who work full-time can still fit guide dog fostering into their routine. They can drop the dog off at the Hamilton centre on their way to work, and pick the dog up on their way home, when they can then spend quality time together.
“You get all the support and guidance from the Guide Dogs staff and trainers, and build a good relationship with them,” said Catherine.
“As a fosterer, you need to be consistent by continuing what the trainers are working on with the dog. It’s also such a lovely atmosphere to be in. It is the most calm, quiet place – and you get a giant fur ball to cuddle!
“If you want a long weekend away, or if you’re attending a wedding or something like that, they will sort out another foster carer during that time. You don’t have that luxury when you’re a full-time dog owner.”
Catherine acknowledges that the thought of having to give a dog back when it reaches the next stage of its journey may be off-putting for some potential guide dog fosterers.
But, she insists, saying goodbye to a dog who will go on to give a visually impaired person the gift of independence is always a bitter-sweet, very proud moment.
“Part of that is because you know, right from the outset, that it is a temporary thing. Also, you know that, if you want to, you can have another dog almost right away,” she said.
Only last week, Catherine took Suzie to the Guide Dogs centre on Hamilton’s Auchingramont Road to allow staff to assess how she might cope with living alongside a fostered dog in the Irvines’ home.
“Because Guide Dogs are in such need of foster carers, we thought we’d see how we go. And it went well,” said Catherine.
“She is very lovely, calm and affectionate, now that the pressure is off and she’s no longer training. The trainers did say that was likely to happen when the stress of training was removed.
“Some of the dogs love to work, but it was not for her. They don’t all enjoy the training. And the wellbeing of the dog is always, first and foremost, at the heart of everything the trainers do.”
Catherine, who receives regular updates from Chester’s owner about her progress, added: “My husband and I both feel very privileged and proud to be part of this.”
For highly experienced trainers like Jacqui McVeigh, fosterers like Catherine and John are an integral cog in the wheel.
Jacqui, now 43, began her life-long career at the tender age of 14 when, as a Larkhall Academy pupil, she volunteered as part of her quest to gain her Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Jacqui, who will notch up 24 years’ service with the charity in March, says it’s not imperative that future fosterers have
previous experience of dogs. Rather, she wants people to come forward who show commitment to following and implementing trainers’ advice.
“Communication is so important,” she stressed. “The dog is with them probably more than the trainer. The dog is working only when it is in harness. The rest of the time, it has to be well behaved.”
Trainers like Jacqui put in place a behavioural development training plan for fosterers to follow. The plan helps to discourage undesirable behaviour for a guide dog in training, such as barking when someone comes to the door, or climbing on furniture.
As she explained, only four per cent of visually impaired people are totally blind. And those who are require guide dogs who are “confident decisionmakers who have a good initiative.” It’s part of a fosterer’s voluntary role to recognise dogs that have those special qualities.
Jacqui, of Sandford, continued: “Not to put people off, but fostering is quite a big commitment, as it’s not just about looking after a dog. If the dog has a specific issue, we may ask fosterers to do certain things, like using a baby gate or putting the dog on a lead when people come to the door. It’s about stopping problem behaviours getting worse.
“It is very rewarding, and every dog is different. The benefits of having fosterers, as opposed to having kennels, is huge to the dog. It is more relaxing for them. Fosterers learn so much more about the dog, and that helps us when it comes to matching them [with a visually impaired person].”
Regional volunteering partner Emma Murton said the role of fosterer is ideal for someone who loves dogs but can’t commit to looking after one full-time.
“It also means they can enjoy the benefits of a dog without the added expense, as we will cover their food and vet costs,” she advised.
“Volunteers have to be able to drop the dog off at our Hamilton office on weekdays between 8am and 9am, and collect them between 5pm and 5.45pm. It’s a bit like doing the school run for their dog in training. “Fostering is hugely rewarding and lots of fun. Our volunteers tell us time and time again how special it is when they learn that their dog has qualified as a guide dog and is helping someone with sight loss to live an independent life.” * If you live think you could provide a temporary yet loving home for a dog in training while they embark on their journey to becoming a guide dog, why not apply? By emailing volunteer@ guidedogs.org.uk, you could soon experience the rewarding feeling of seeing the progress your furry companion is making in their training.