Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
In a heartbreaking moment, a grieving dog shows unshakable devotion and sadness by refusing to part from his slain sibling.
Heartbreaking stories of animal brutality and neglect are regrettably all too frequent in our world. Recently, a video leaked online that showed a little puppy crying over the death of her siblings who were killed by stray dogs. The video is heart-wrenching and illustrates the truth of the horrible world we live in.
The video shows the little puppy clutching to her dead siblings and sisters and crying. The stray dogs had attacked and killed three puppies, leaving this little one all alone. Luckily, a good individual was able to rescue the puppy before any further damage could come to her.
It’s a heartbreaking story, but it underlines the need of animal welfare and protection. Animals, just like humans, need to be treated with love and respect. Unfortunately, there are still many stray dogs and other animals on the streets that are not being properly taken care of. This can lead to violent assaults and even death for innocent animals.
The video of the little puppy crying over her siblings is a poignant reminder of the terrible reality that many animals confront. It’s up to everyone of us to do our bit in assisting animals in need, whether that means adopting a pet, working at a local animal shelter, or simply promoting awareness about animal welfare concerns.
Let’s not forget the little puppy who survived this horrible catastrophe. She deserves a shot at a happy and healthy life, filled with love and care. And let’s do our best to make sure that instances like these don’t happen again in the future.
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