Our ambition is a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support they need to live their lives to the full. To help achieve this objective we are looking for fostering volunteers. Our respite fosterers provide temporary accommodation for a dog at home on behalf of Guide Dogs, and comply with the Boarders Agreement in relation to the welfare and handling of the dog or puppy.

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. We have dogs at various ages and stages of their career who may need temporary accommodation and the need will be dependent on your location and circumstances. In this role your support will include: • Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for a dog or puppy. • Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed, exercised, and cared for to maintain excellent health. • Using positive reinforcement training techniques to teach or maintain behaviours. • Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. Foster volunteers who care for dogs in training need to drop off and collect their dog from our Hamilton office. Times are normally Monday to Friday between 8am- 9am and 5pm - 6pm. Dogs will stay with our staff in the centre during the day to complete training. In the evenings and at weekends volunteer dog fosterers will keep the dog at home. Please contact VolunteerScotNI@guidedogs.org.uk for more information.

You will be providing a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. This is a full-time volunteering opportunity as a puppy will live with you in your home for around 12-16 months. It should be noted that although it is possible for another Puppy Raiser to look after a dog on your behalf for short periods of time that this may not always be possible. Consideration should be given to your future plans such as holidays abroad. “It’s so rewarding to know that the dog will go on to help people with sight loss gain independence and freedom.” – Chris, Puppy Raiser We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include: • Developing, caring and providing for the needs of one of our puppies using Positive Reinforcement Techniques and following Guide Dogs Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) programme • Familiarising a puppy to a wide range of environments including shops and outdoor off lead exercise areas in all climates and seasons. • Teaching a puppy it’s ok to be left alone by gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of 4 hours • Attending regular puppy classes • Regularly meeting with Guide Dogs representatives to discuss your pup’s development • Completing regular on-line questionnaires to help us monitor puppy progress -Ideally you will: • Be able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg) • Have access to a car on a weekly basis for training and vet visits • Have your own home or written permission to have a dog in the home • Have access to a secure area where the puppy could go to the toilet during the day, especially first thing in the morning and last thing at night • Be able to access online content and training materials (you will need your own email address) If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please drop us a message and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible! -Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get; • A dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. • The challenge and reward of seeing a puppy develop in your home. • The opportunity to learn and develop your understanding in dog body language, learning theory, the human animal bond and the life of a Guide Dog. Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy. -For more details and to apply to be a Guide Dogs - Puppy Raiser please visit: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/ or -If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying please email Guide Dogs Volunteer Coordinator, Aaron Puckrin at aaron.puckrin@guidedogs.org.uk Thank you.

We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. We have dogs at various ages and stages of their career who may need temporary accommodation and the need will be dependent on your location and circumstances. In this role your support will include: • Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for a dog or puppy. • Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed, exercised, and cared for to maintain excellent health. • Using positive reinforcement training techniques to teach or maintain behaviours. • Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period. Foster volunteers who care for dogs in training need to drop off and collect their dog from a Forfar regional centre. Times are normally Monday to Friday between 8 - 9am and 5 - 6pm however there are allowances. Dogs will stay with our staff in the centre during the day to complete training. In the evenings and at weekends volunteer dog fosterers will keep the dog at home. If you require any more information or would like to chat to someone about this role then please email VolunteerScotNI@Guidedogs.org.uk