Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Raise a Puppy for the Blind

Here are my Top 10 Reasons why you should be a Puppy Raiser for the Blind.

1.  20 Minutes:  This is how long you will get to spend with the blind person who receives your Guide Dog. Imagine being able to see your dog and meeting the person your dog will be guiding and taking care of for the rest of their life knowing that you have made a difference for that one person!      

2.  Constant Companion:  Wherever you go, you are never alone in the world.  You always have a four-footed friend right next to you.

3.  Love:  Your Puppy in Training will always love you- No Matter What.  It doesn't matter what your day was like, and it could have been your worst day ever- your Puppy In Training will always love you.

4.  Laughter:  Your Puppy In Training will give you lots to laugh about and lots of hilarious stories to tell at parties to keep your friends in stitches!  Like the time Delaney saw herself in a mirror at a clothing store and started barking at herself or the time she started doing figure 8s as fast as she could in my parents backyard so that their dog would chase her!  You just can't go wrong with Dog stories at parties!

5.  Meet New People:  Wherever you go, you will get positive attention and conversation starters with your Puppy In Training.  People will come up to you wherever you are and want to speak with you and ask you questions about your dog. You will attend Guide Dogs of America meetings and Puppy In Training Classes and meet others who share a love of dogs and a passion for helping others.

6.  Memories:  You will have lots of memories to share with others.  I have two children 13 & 10 and I know when they are older, they will remember raising Delaney to be a Guide Dog and share this with others and their children. I have set an example for both of them that giving back is a good thing.

7.  Make a Difference/Do Good:  When you do something good that is for someone else, it raises your level of consciousness in the world, it assists you in being aware of others and their challenges they may be facing; more accepting of others and it raises your vibrational level of love.

8.  Spokesperson:  You get to be an Ambassador for Guide Dogs of America. You get to tell others about what you are doing. You get to inspire others to do something to assist others. You get to be a catalyst for change.

9.  Confidence:  This will improve your overall confidence in interacting with others!  You will be able to enter establishments with a dog and feel comfortable about it. You cannot hide when you have a Puppy In Training!  You are extremely visible wherever you go with a dog. You get to go places where dogs are not usually allowed.

10.  Learn Something New:  You get to learn how to train dogs responsibly and the basics of what it takes for a dog to be a Puppy In Training.

 If you have any questions about being a Puppy Raiser for the Blind, please contact Guide Dogs of America at 818-362-5834 or visit the website at www.guidedogsofamerica.com.  Guide Dogs of America is a non-profit organzation located in Sylmar, Ca.