Family raises puppies to become assistance dogs

Andrew and Nicola Brown are raising eight puppies

Andrew and Nicola Brown, from Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, have got their hands full.

They are rearing eight labradoodle puppies, four male and four female, most of whom will go on to be assistance dogs for people across the UK with disabilities.

The couple are volunteers with Loughborough-based charity, Canine Partners.

Now, the charity is looking for more families to do the same, so it can expand its breeding programme.

"It is really hard work, and it's quite an intense period of eight weeks, bringing them up from zero to the eight-week mark," said Mrs Brown.

"It's also an awful lot of fun, and we spend a lot of quality time with them, getting used to being handled and playing, so a lot of time is spent sitting in here [their pen]."

Mr Brown added: "A big part of it is about the journey for us with the dogs... but it's also about knowing that you've contributed to making a difference to other people, I think that's the important thing."

Canine Partners wants to expand its breeding programme

Canine Partners trains the dogs to provide greater independence and quality of life to people with physical disabilities.

"The dogs will pick up dropped items, even assist with helping turn on light switches, open doors, even help load and unload the washing machine," said Liz Lacey from the charity.

It has about eight families raising puppies, like the Browns, and is now looking for five or six more.

The puppies go on to be assistance dogs

Anyone interested needs to have a good understanding of rearing puppies, and be at home most of the time, the charity said.

They will also need consistent support from other family members or friends, and will adopt the puppies' mother permanently.

"If you love dogs, and you've got plenty of time and you can commit to this role, I would recommend it to anybody," said Mrs Brown.