I am a part of a unique group of people that raise guide dog puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. With campuses in San Rafael, California and Boring, Oregon Guide Dogs for the Blind provides specially trained dogs to visually impaired people throughout the United States and Canada. We raisers are high school seniors working on senior projects, 4-H families developing new skills, compassionate young people wanting to work with animals and adults who simply want to give back to our community. Our common bond is our passion for dogs and people. We volunteer 14 to16 months of our time to provide safe homes for puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind’s own colony of dogs. 

Most of our pups are Labrador Retrievers; however Guide Dog’s special stock also includes Golden Retrievers, and Golden Retriever- Labrador crosses. We work with the pups to develop the skills and confidence for a job that is becoming more and more demanding in our complex and fast pace world. Our Shasta County club, Eyes for Freedom’s motto - patience, practice, and praise - gets us through many of the behavior challenges we encounter … that, and a 1-inch thick Puppy Raising Manual. The manual contains all the dos and don’ts of raising a puppy, as well as special tips to help us, and the puppies make good choices. Two times a month we meet to discuss puppy raising issues, practice skills and tell stories. Guide Dogs for the Blind’s advisors are only a phone call or e-mail away for consultation.

Guide dog puppy rising is a 24 hour - 7 day a week job. Our role as puppy raisers is to expose the pups to a wide variety of life situations and help them develop appropriate behaviors and responses. For example, you might see us walking through the automatic doors at the grocery store three or four times with a pup that seems tentative about the sound and motion of the doors. You will often see us repeatedly walking up and down the dog food isle so the puppy can practice ignoring the kibble spilled from a torn bag of dog food. Some pups get anxious in crowds of people or find getting in and out of cars frightening. Just like the people they will be partnered with, each puppy is unique and an individual.

Back on the road, we drive past the Factory Outlet Stores in Vacaville and I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. My thoughts drift as I think how he must have enjoyed the 3 months of formal training he received when he returned to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Campus. He had a wonderful humorous side and I know he would have charmed his trainers as he held his head high wagging his tail through all the opsticals they asked him to navigate. One thing that truly makes guide dogs distinctive is that they are thinking dogs. Obviously they have to be obedient to commands, but more importantly for the safety of their partner, they must also know when to disobey. This is called intelligent disobedience. I knew my little one was full something like this but I didn’t realize his behavior would later be called “intelligent”.

I gave him as many experiences as I could but wondered if it would still be enough. We have traveled by bus, ferry, train and car. We have climbed long spiraling stairs, walked through Redding’s Market Fest, and shopped at every kind of store imaginable. We have given talks about Guide Dogs at local schools, Lions Clubs and Rotary meetings. We dined at many local restaurants and attended performances at the Cascade Theater and the Redding Convention Center. We have taken hikes through Whiskeytown, traveled the Oregon Coast and stayed in hotels throughout California and Oregon.

The sound of barking dogs marks the end of our journey. As we search for a place to park my tummy is doing flop flops. It is time to see Fetzer again and meet Ellen for the first time before we gather on stage with other raisers and students for a formal graduation ceremony.

My husband and I wait comfortably in the music room of the dormitory anticipating his reaction when we meet again. On my left I hear the jingle if tags and someone saying “go slow” as they darken the doorway. A tall lovely woman with black hair enters with a handsome carmel colored lab. We shake hands and say hello and as if a light switch was turned on Fetzer leaps and wiggles in excitement recognizing who we are. Suddenly I was smacked in the face with so many dog kisses I couldn’t breathe. Oh yah, he remembers us!

Our time on stage is brief as I wish them safe travels through their new life together and then all too soon it’s time to say goodbye again to this pup who was so much of my life here in Redding. This time there is a hint of adventure in the air. The plane leaves tomorrow for West Harford Connecticut. Ellen has a new companion to guide her on her walks to work and all around town. She says they have plans to go to the Big Apple soon for their son’d graduation too.

As puppy raisers our goal is to give back to Guide Dogs for the Blind happy, healthy and well mannered young dogs that trust and can be trusted. We could not accomplish our task without being welcomed by the many Shasta County, Tehama County. and Siskiyou County. businesses that open their doors to our visits, the support of family and friends, our employers and teachers, and the encouraging stories of people we meet throughout our travels. I truly believe that this outpouring of support also motivates these pups to grow up believing they are special …and perhaps, having a greater sense of purpose.

To see videos, read stories and learn more, visit the web site at www.guidedogs.com

“Guide Dog Puppy raising is like giving your heart to a stranger through the love of a dog.”