BORDERS residents are being asked to open their homes and hearts and be volunteer fosterers for a guide dog puppy.
The charity Guide Dogs is asking Borderers to become volunteer puppy raisers for up to 16 months.
Volunteers help the puppies in their training to become full time guide dogs for people living with sight loss.
Volunteering Co-ordinator Luke Walker said, “Puppy raisers are incredible volunteers and quite simply there would be no Guide Dogs without them.
“We are looking for people in the Borders who can provide the full-time care and education of our puppies until they are ready to join one of our training schools."
Being a puppy raiser requires people to be at home the majority of the day and to familiarise their puppy with different environments.
Mr Walker added: “Raising a guide dog puppy definitely requires dedication and hard work but it’s also hugely rewarding and lots of fun.
"Of course it can be very sad when it’s time to say goodbye but our volunteers tell us time and time again how special it is when they learn that their pup has qualified as a guide dog and is helping someone with sight loss to live an independent life.”
If you think you could offer a good home to a guide dog in training, visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk for more information.
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