As the end of the year draws closer, Vision Australia is on the hunt for more six-month or one-year volunteer carers for their puppies in-training.
In the Hunter region, specifically in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, they were looking for around five carers from now until Christmas, a Vision Australia spokesperson said.
They were expecting more litters to be born over the holiday period and would be after more carers in the new year.
Lenny, an 18-month-old pup, was cared for by Newcastle local Jennifer Goh before being matched with someone in Victoria.
At just 12-months-old he was the company's first puppy to graduate in NSW to a fully-fledged Seeing Eye Dog.
Ms Goh said she was beyond happy that Lenny passed his training and had gone to someone who needed him.
"Lenny was a fantastic companion for me, and I believe he'll provide the same support for whoever he is with now," she said.
"While it was hard to give Lenny back, I knew he would make a positive impact on someone's ability to navigate their community safely and independently," she said.
Ms Goh was expecting another Seeing Eye Dog puppy in November, making it her second time as a puppy carer.
"With Lenny, I was able to bring him into work with me, as it was a valuable part of his training and socialisation. Everyone loved him at work, and they're excited for me to care for another puppy," she said.
Each year, around 200 puppies enter the Seeing Eye Dogs program to be trained to provide support for Australians who are blind of have low vision.
The program has six month and 12 month puppy carer spots available.
Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs' manager of puppy development, Jane Bradley said puppy carers typically cared for a dog from 8-weeks of age until they entered formal training at 12-to-15 months.
"From the moment a carer welcomes a puppy into their home, the focus is simply on the pups learning basic cues and socialisation skills," Ms Bradley said.
"Volunteer puppy carers play a vital role in the social development of a future Seeing Eye Dog and their journey to formal training," she said.
Ms Bradley said while being a carer was a commitment, their team was there to help with needs such as food, vet bills and training advice.
"Our volunteers get to join a supportive community of other like-minded people, all driven by the same purpose," she said.
Requirements to be a puppy carer include:
- Patience, dedication, flexibility
- Be over 18-years old at the time of application
- Hold a current driver's licence and have immediate car access to transport dogs to Seeing Eye Dogs locations.
- Time to dedicate to training, exercising and socialising
- Speak fluent English
- Have no convictions of animal cruelty in Australia or elsewhere
