Guide Dogs Appeal for Volunteers in Devon
For many people, the beginning of a new year is a time to start again, to make changes and do the things we always wanted. With every new year comes new hope and at Guide Dogs we have big plans for 2022. We continue to face the challenges of Covid and its long reaching impact, but if nothing else 2021 has taught us how we can respond and learn to do things in new ways.
So if you’re up for a new adventure in 2022 and want to help people with sight loss then perhaps you will consider volunteering with Guide Dogs this year.
There are around 2 million people living with sight loss in the UK. Guide Dogs supports people with a visual impairment to maintain their independence and live the life they choose. There are lots of different services on offer, ranging from volunteer-led services such as My Sighted Guide through to the children and young people’s services, access to technology, and the iconic guide dog service.
We are urgently appealing for new volunteers to sign up as puppy raisers. This means looking after future guide dogs for the first year of their lives, socialising them and giving them a loving home. It’s a hugely rewarding role with lots of support and training on offer, plus you will meet lots of new people in your area also raising pups.
Maria Cassidy, a current puppy raiser says:
“When we applied to be Puppy Raisers in Devon 6 years ago we never anticipated loving this role as much as we do. We are currently puppy raising pup number six and can honestly say that we are addicted to it!”
“Many people make comments about ‘how can you give up the pup or give it back’, our remark is that seeing what a difference it makes to the guide dog owners that we have met is the reason why we continue to love this volunteer role and try to make our pups the best they can be.”
If this sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in doing or you’d like more information please go to www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer or call the volunteering team on 0345 143 0191.
