New Island charity, Ability Dogs 4 Young People, are appealing for help from VB readers. Ed
We are looking for Puppy Parents to love and train a puppy for about a year to 18 months, and Assistant Puppy Parents who can look after a puppy for short periods.
You will be fully supported both at a weekly puppy training class and at home. With our guidance you will help us prepare the puppy as he or she learns what it takes to be a fully trained and qualified Ability Dog 4 Young People.
Costs are covered
We provide food and equipment, and cover the costs of vet bills.
Ability Dogs 4 Young People, a newly formed charity, is training assistance dogs for young disabled people here on the Island.
As these young people (aged 16-24) start their journey into adult life and look to increase their independence by going to college or work, our highly trained assistance dogs will provide practical help with tasks like picking up dropped items and opening doors.
With a jacketed assistance dog by their side, they will have more confidence to go out on their own and, as importantly, more people will come and talk to them (about their dog).
Two years of training
Training a puppy to be an assistance dog takes two years with a lot of dedication. We place specially selected Labrador puppies with volunteer puppy parents, who care for the puppies in their own homes, fully socialise them and start their initial training.
With the help of our puppy trainers, their training continues through to assistance dog level by about 2 years when they will each be placed with a disabled young person. The disabled young people will be supported every step of the way.
And we are aiming to fully fund the dogs (pay for food, equipment and vet bills) throughout their working lives, so we can give the young people all the benefits without an added financial burden.
If you would like to be a puppy parent, please contact Carol on 0781 267 2702 or [email protected] – I look forward to hearing from you.
Image: Tyleruk2000 under CC BY 2.0
