Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is looking for volunteers in a number of areas and volunteer opportunities include the following:
Puppy Raisers
Puppy Raisers support pups in their initial stages of training fostering from age 9 weeks until approximately 13-14 months. During this time, they learn structure and basic rules of obedience. The charity’s Puppy Raising Programme has been extended to Wexford (within 1.5hrs of New Ross), Galway (within 1.5hrs of Galway City) and Athlone (within a 1.5hr radius).
Temporary Boarders
The role of a Volunteer Temporary Boarder is to provide essential support to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind trainers in meeting the care and welfare needs of their dogs. Some dogs require boarding to try to work on a particular training task, others do not cope with being in kennels and do better training from a home environment and some are already qualified and in need of a holiday home as their Puppy Raiser is going away. Temporary Boarders are required in Wexford (within 1.5hrs of New Ross), Galway (within 1.5hrs of Galway City) and Athlone (within a 1.5hr radius).
Fundraising Volunteers
Volunteers give of their time to plan and run a variety of fundraising events in their local communities. There are opportunities available to work alone or as part of a team. Fundraising Volunteers required in all areas nationwide but particularly in Carlow, North/West/ East Cork, Kildare, Mayo, Offaly, Tipperary and Wexford.
Ciara Canning is a volunteer in Donegal; “I moved back to Ireland during the Covid pandemic after 20 years living abroad. Becoming a Temporary Boarder and Puppy Raiser helped me discover and feel part of a community. The unique thing about having a puppy in training is you can bring them everywhere. I meet new people every time I go out with the pup. I see the joy it brings to people’s faces and it’s made me a happier, more confident person”.
Bill Murphy is Puppy Raiser; “It was a year after my wife passed away that I decided I needed some purpose in my life so as a dog lover all my life and a sponsor of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for many years it seemed a like a natural thing for me to do.”
The charity is urging people to get in touch if you’re open to new experiences and learning new skills, if you’re looking to widen your circle of like-minded friends and acquaintances, if you want to give back and make a difference or if you want to have fun!
See GuideDogs.ie for further information or email Communications@GuideDogs.ie
