Elaine’s journey with Guide Dogs began in January 2024, when she and her husband, Bill, decided to become puppy raisers after the unexpected loss of their much-loved dog, Maya. Reflecting on that time, Elaine shared, "After losing Maya, my days felt a little empty and lacked structure. I thought about applying for another withdrawn guide dog, but I realised I really missed the training journey that comes with raising a puppy. Becoming a puppy raiser felt like the perfect fit.”
How Elaine became a puppy raiser
Before taking the next step, Elaine reached out to other puppy raisers in her area and spent time learning about their experiences. Feeling inspired and confident in her decision, she soon got in touch with Guide Dogs and started a new chapter that would bring purpose, connection, and a great deal of joy into her life.
The benefits of being a puppy raiser
Throughout her time as a puppy raiser, Elaine has met lots of new people and has joined her local fundraising group. "Joining my local fundraising group has given me a great sense of community. I have become friends with other puppy raisers and guide dog owners. My husband and I are in our early seventies, but Guide Dogs have given us a whole new interest.”
Continuing Elaine's puppy raiser journey
Elaine is currently raising her second puppy, Susy, who will soon head to Forfar to begin her next stage of training in July. Before Susy, Elaine and Bill welcomed their first puppy, Lottie, into their home. Looking back on how lively and bright Lottie was, Elaine recalled, "As a puppy, Lottie needed constant stimulation. She was so intelligent and kept me wonderfully busy. I often had to think outside the box to help her learn, and I loved finding new experiences to introduce her to.”
Introducing puppies to the world is such a special part of the journey, and Elaine and Bill embraced every moment of it. With their touring caravan, Lottie was able to explore lots of different places, building her confidence along the way. "We took her to a medieval re-enactment where they were firing a cannon and musket guns, and she coped brilliantly. She also came to a Highland night, with lively Scottish dancing and music, and again she took it all in her stride.” These shared experiences not only helped shape Lottie’s development but also brought a great deal of joy, creating lasting memories for Elaine and Bill.
What happens when a puppy starts its training
When it was time for Lottie to begin her formal training, Elaine felt a mix of pride and anticipation. She was overjoyed to later hear that Lottie had successfully qualified in a partnership. Not long after, Elaine received a heartfelt message from Lottie’s guide dog owner.
“When we got the lovely email from Sarah, I felt so emotional. It was incredible to hear about her life and how perfectly Lottie fits into it. Knowing they are building such a strong bond and partnership means everything,” Elaine explained.
Since then, Elaine and Sarah have stayed in touch, sharing updates, photos, and memories of Lottie’s journey. This connection has added an extra layer of meaning and happiness to Elaine’s volunteer experience: "It's so special that Sarah keeps in touch and tells me about everything they’re achieving together. Watching Lottie grow from a tiny puppy into the amazing guide dog she is today fills me with pride and joy. Although saying goodbye at the training centre is never easy, it’s also a moment of real achievement. It means we’ve helped prepare her for this incredible role. It’s brought a new sense of purpose into my life, and so much happiness along the way.”
Find out more about being a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs.
