Volunteers needed to guide dogs

Dogs for the Disabled is appealing for more volunteer puppy socialisers in the North West. The charity took on its first 15 volunteers following a successful recruitment campaign in January. Now it’s looking for the next 15 dog lovers to help with the early training of puppies who will go on to become the amazing assistance dogs of the future in the North West.

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A CHARITY is appealing for dog lovers in Oldham to come forward and help train puppies to become assistance dogs in the North-West.

Dogs for the Disabled is appealing for more volunteer puppy socialisers in the region.

The charity took on its first 15 volunteers following a successful recruitment campaign in January and now it’s looking for the next 15 to help with the early training of puppies, which will go on to become assistance dogs of the future.

Potential volunteers need to have a secure garden and be able to look after a puppy from eight weeks for up to 12-14 months and attend monthly puppy classes.

They will teach basic skills including lead walking, “sit”, “down”, “wait” and “stay” commands and introduce the young dog to locations, including supermarkets, hospitals, buses and trains, to prepare them for their working life.

The volunteer’s reward is to see their charge become a fully-qualified assistance dog, indispensable to a disabled adult or child and armed with an array of skills including picking up dropped items, fetching the phone, unloading the washing machine, calling lifts and helping someone dress/undress.

Dogs for the Disabled currently supports nearly 30 disabled people with assistance dogs in the North-West.

Visit www.dogsforthedisabled.org to find out more or call Liz Stone on 01295-759827, or email liz.stone@dogsforthedisabled.org leaving contact telephone numbers.