Welcome to our Puppy Raising Program!
We’re so grateful for the time and dedication you and your family are giving to Guide Dogs over the next 12-14 months as you care for one of our pups. We’re here to support you every step of the way with advice, guidance, and our knowledge, to help your pup succeed in our programs. While there may be challenges ahead, we’ll be by your side to overcome them. And trust us, the joy of spending time with your pup will far outweigh any obstacles. These next months will be truly special for both of you! Thank you for opening your hearts and homes to one of our pups. Your generosity will bring independence and safe mobility to one of our Guide Dog Handlers—a remarkable gift indeed. We hope the gratitude from one of our Guide Dog recipients, shared in a thank-you letter, inspires you as you embark on this journey with us. Please remember, we’re always here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out at any time.
Warm regards,
Eddie Sullivan
Puppy Development Manager
Bringing home a new puppy
Even if you’re not a first-time Puppy Raiser bringing your new pup home is exciting but that excitement can often be mixed with a few nerves and uncertainty so we’ve put together a few resources to help you on your way.
Ensure that you have completed the online puppy placement module. This module covers a range of topics that will help you welcome a new puppy into your home. It is a great resource for both first-time and experienced Puppy Raisers.
Dogs will be dogs and sometimes our pups think it’s a good idea to explore the world on the other side of the fence! To make it easy for any member of the public who finds an escapee to contact us your pup is microchipped and wears an identification tag. This guide provides information about these identifying items. Should your pup escape or become lost please consult the Missing or Lost Dogs Guide.
- Your Puppy Development Advisor
When you need advice or assistance with your pup your first port of call is your Puppy Development Advisor or “PDA”. If you are not sure who your PDA is, please consult the Puppy Development Regions page on Puppy Central.
Veterinary & Emergency Information
It’s almost inevitable that at some time during your Puppy Raising journey your pup will need to consult a veterinarian. No matter where you live or whether it’s for scheduled vaccinations, illnesses or accidents, we have you covered with our list of Approved Veterinary Clinics. You can view the list on Puppy Central but we recommend that you also download the pdf and keep it somewhere safe and accessible in case of emergency.
When visiting an Approved Veterinary Clinic
Please make sure the vet is aware that your pup belongs to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and that we should be recorded as the owner in their database. Please also provide them with the pup’s “D” number, located on the back of its tag, and your contact details. It is vital to our breeding program to have accurate and current data on our dogs. For this reason, please ask the vet to send the following documents together after each consultation to vetinvoices@guidedogs.com.au along with any invoices that require payment:
- Clinical Notes/Patient History
- Test results (If relevant)
- Vaccination (with vial numbers) or Sterilisation Certificate (If relevant)
All invoices are to be addressed to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, PO Box 3104, Freemans Reach NSW 2756. This will ensure that accounts are finalised in a timely manner.
