A gymnasium in the District of Saanich was full of golden, yellow and chocolate Labradors retrievers this week. While the tiny puppies could get rambunctious, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 all tail wags and and games B次元官网网址� it was also some serious business. They were training their hardest to be guide dogs, after all.
The BC & Alberta Guide Dogs service breeds and raises Labs for the use of its guide dog program, its autism support dog program and its Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) support dog program. The dogs are bred in Delta, and given to volunteer puppy trainers for 14 to 18 months for 24/7 hands-on training and acclimatization. The puppies then go to advanced training before being given to their forever home.
Now that the organization has amalgamated with the Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs to help veterans with PTSD, however, more dogs are being bred and more volunteers are needed to help raise the puppies.
B次元官网网址淩ight now we have about 20 volunteers on the Island,B次元官网网址� said Samantha Jagt, puppy training supervisor. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e looking to almost double that number. B次元官网网址� We have quite a few females expecting in October, and more will come after that.B次元官网网址�
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The puppies go everywhere with the volunteers to get them comfortable with many different environments, and to socialize them with other people and dogs. They also meet weekly with Jagt for important lessons on listening, restraining impulses and following commands.
B次元官网网址淵ou need quite a bit of time to be involved in the puppy raising program,B次元官网网址� Jagt said. B次元官网网址淲e have weekly obedience meetings, monthly one-on-one visits with myself, vet visits and special events.B次元官网网址�
All medical costs and basic needs are paid for by the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (though trainers are welcome to buy them lots of toys and are responsible for poop bags), and specific training is expected outside of the weekly lessons.
For Carla Williams, who has been a puppy trainer for five years and raised four dogs in the process, it is well worth it.
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B次元官网网址淚 came for the dogs and I was really surprised to find a community, and a lot of new friends,B次元官网网址� Williams said. B次元官网网址淚 really enjoy the challenge, IB次元官网网址檝e learned a lot about dogs, dog training and about myself, so weB次元官网网址檝e really enjoyed it.B次元官网网址�
MaryJo Duggan always wanted to help raise a puppy, but couldnB次元官网网址檛 do so until she recently retired.
B次元官网网址淣ow I can give back, and itB次元官网网址檚 great, I really enjoy it,B次元官网网址� Duggan said. B次元官网网址淣ot only are you giving back to your community in B.C. and Alberta, but youB次元官网网址檙e also feeling the rewards of hard work, so thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of pride in that.B次元官网网址�
While both Duggan and Williams knew that it would be sad to give the pups up when they were done their training, they both agreed it was a worthwhile endeavor.
B次元官网网址淪peaking from experience itB次元官网网址檚 a totally worth it heartache,B次元官网网址� said Jagt, whoB次元官网网址檚 raised four puppies herself. B次元官网网址淏ecause you really do change someoneB次元官网网址檚 life.B次元官网网址�
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