Guide dogs are looking for a volunteer fosterers

Date of issue: 7th June 2023

For immediate release

 

Guide Dogs urgently appeal for a volunteer fosterers.

 

Have you ever thought you would love to have a dog but work full time? Would you like to make a real difference to the lives of people living with sight loss?  Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

 

 

Guide dogs are looking for a volunteer fosterers

 

As a Training Dog fosterer, your role is to take the dog to ’school’ for training in the mornings and collect them before 5pm during the working week – so it fits in perfectly. At the weekends we spend time doing ‘normal’ dog activities like walks, free runs and lots of play!

You are not expected to do much training with the dog, merely encourage and maintain behaviours they are working on in school, such as loose lead walking, crossing the road or walking up and down stairs.

 

Nadia a volunteer foster  who works full time. She said: “I have my own pet dog and had been thinking for a while about getting another to keep him company, however I wasn’t sure I would have the time and there were the costs to think about too. I became involved with Guide Dogs after seeing an advert on social media appealing for fosterers and after I made enquiries, went on a one day training course. I have since fostered three dogs. It’s been a great way to have a dog without the associated costs and be involved in a great charity.

 

 As a fosterer myself I would definitely urge people to get involved in fostering. You will get all the benefits of having a loving pet at home, without the financial commitments and other burdens that can come with having your own dog. Guide Dogs provide everything when the dog moves in - food, bedding, lead, and vets’ bills are also covered, and they’re always on hand to support you. If you want to go away on holiday the team will arrange for holiday cover too.

“At the end of the process the dog will leave to start their next chapter - while this is the hardest part of being a Fosterer, it helps to remember that you are directly involved in a vital part of the process to make a significant difference for someone with sight loss; and then you can get another dog to take care of!”

 

For more information https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/.../volunteer-role.../fosterer/

 

-ENDS-

 

For more information, email Emma Hill - Regional Comms Manager at emma.hill@guidedogs.org.uk  or Andrea Petch media champion on 07775267925