Thanks to Laura from Canine Partners for details of this upcoming event. Ed
Assistance dog charity, Canine Partners, is looking for people to join their ‘purple army’ of volunteers on the Isle of Wight by becoming a fundraiser, puppy parent or foster puppy parent.
The registered charity, which trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, is looking for people who wish to join their rapidly growing team on the island.
Come along to our Open Day
Canine Partners is holding an Open Day on Tuesday 27 October at The Pavilion on Recreational Ground Road in Newport between 10am and 12pm. Everyone is welcome to come along, watch a demonstration of some of our dogs in action, listen to a talk about the Charity and ask questions.
The Charity is looking for people who have time, commitment and who can take a puppy into their home from the age of eight weeks until they are 12 to 14 months old.
Being a puppy parent
These puppy parents will need to be available to attend regular training classes at The Pavilion and teach the pup socialisation skills, basic obedience and core tasks every day. Puppy food, toys, equipment, training, reasonable travel expenses and all veterinary costs are covered by Canine Partners.
The Charity is also looking for people to become volunteer foster parents to temporarily look after puppies while their puppy parents are on holiday, as well as people to attend events and fundraise on behalf of Canine Partners.
Puppy group trainer Deborah Flux said:
“I look forward to welcoming members of the public to our Open Day to find out more about our amazing charity. There will be staff, volunteers and puppies with tails wagging ready to say hello and answer any questions.”
Puppy parenting is the first stage of an assistance dog’s life, before it progresses to advanced training and then is matched to a person with a physical disability. The canine partner will then carry out tasks for their disabled owners such as opening and closing doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency.
Thankful to the puppy parents
Kirsten Martin, who has had a stroke and now relies on canine partner Isabel, said:
“Isabel has enabled me to become more independent as I can be left on my own and she makes me feel safe because she is always there by my side.
“I am so grateful to Canine Partners for all the hard work they do in finding and training Isabel. I am also thankful to the puppy parents who spent a long time with Isabel and who must have been sad to see her go but I couldn’t imagine my life without her now. Isabel is just perfect to me.”
For more information about joining Canine Partners Isle of Wight team email [email protected].
