If you love dogs and you’re looking for a fresh purpose this year, volunteering with Guide Dogs offers a flexible, rewarding way to give back.
When you help raise a guide dog puppy, they can go almost everywhere with you as part of their early training. This means you can welcome a gorgeous puppy into your life, without giving up any of the other things you love to do.
Does this sound like you?
Enjoy puppy cuddles and can’t resist a loveable Lab, a gorgeous Goldie or a super-soft Shepherd?
Have some time to spare, or work from home, and would love a little extra company?
Interested in volunteering but worry about the time and commitment involved?
Don’t mind the odd chewed slipper or early start?
At Guide Dogs, we have volunteering roles that work around you — not the other way round. You can continue with your job, family life or social plans, while welcoming an adorable puppy into your home. Most of your usual daily activities are the perfect training opportunity for a future life-changer. Do you like shopping or walks on the beach? Take your puppy! Attend a regular art or exercise class? Take your puppy! Enjoy Sunday lunch out or a cuppa at a café? Take your puppy!
And you won’t be doing it alone. You’ll receive all the training you need, along with ongoing support from our friendly, expert team. We cover all your puppy’s food and vet bills, as well as any other expenses related to your volunteering. You’ll also have the option to join local puppy classes and become part of a supportive community of like-minded volunteers.
What you’ll gain can be truly life changing: companionship, routine and a renewed sense of purpose. You’ll experience the joy of watching your puppy grow in confidence — and the rewarding feeling of knowing you’ve helped shape a future where someone with sight loss can live more independently.
Meet Ali, Puppy Raiser
For the past three years, Ali has opened her home and heart as a volunteer puppy raiser. She’s currently raising her second guide dog pup, Phoenix — and says the experience has been life changing in ways she never expected.
Puppy raising is such a special role. You get this fit, healthy, bright, funny, adoring little puppy who becomes part of your life so quickly. They bring so much love and happiness into your home.
For Ali, puppy raising fits naturally into her everyday routine.
“Raising a guide dog puppy fits around your life. You do a bit of walking every day — short walks when they’re little, and longer ones as they grow. You help them have lots of different experiences of the world so they’re well socialised. They can go almost everywhere you go, so looking after a puppy just becomes part of your normal day.”
“We love taking Phoenix out with our grandchildren, especially to the beach or going on walks. It’s wonderful for them to learn about caring for a puppy and understanding his needs. He really brings everyone together.”
While the early days can bring some challenges, Ali says the rewards far outweigh any hard moments.
“When they’re very young, they don’t always sleep through the night, and you might need to mop up a few puddles at first. But the rewards are extraordinary. Having this beautiful presence in your life and knowing you’re helping to shape a future guide dog — it’s incredibly meaningful.
“You’re given this gorgeous, healthy puppy and Guide Dogs cover all the food and vet bills. You’re supported every step of the way. And knowing that you’re doing something that really changes someone’s life — well, that feeling always stays with you.”
This is volunteering that’s life changing, not life disrupting
Volunteering with Guide Dogs is a flexible and rewarding way to make a life-changing difference — for you and for someone with sight loss.
If you have room in your home and your heart for a gorgeous puppy this year, we’d love to hear from you.
