Is preparing a lab puppy for the blind right for you? I just read an article on Buzzfeed by Becky Barnicoat about this kind of volunteering. Actually, a friend of mine does exactly this, and finds it very rewarding. Below this photo is more description about this volunteer role.
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Basically, it’s caring for a lab puppy from about 7 weeks old until they are 1 year old. Then they go on to guide dog training school. The role of the volunteer is to socialize the puppy to the world around them. The training is different from that of a dog owner. You want the puppy to learn not to be distracted by what’s going on around it because when they are working, they can’t be running after other dogs, jumping up at strangers, barking at whomever and whatever. The part that you may not like is saying goodbye when they are ready for guide dog school to prepare for service to someone who needs them. You can always volunteer to train another puppy. You can search for Guide Dogs For The Blind for more information.
Article source: Becky Barnicoat of Buzzfeed
Image source: Flickr via Buzzfeed