Puppy raisers sought to help train more guide dogs
The Guide Dogs charity wants to provide more than 200 trained dogs to visually impaired people in the south west this year
- Published
Volunteers are needed to become puppy raisers to meet the demand for trained guide dogs in the south west.
The Guide Dogs charity said it was seeking people in Devon and Cornwall prepared to train and home more than 200 dogs while they go through months of training.
Leah Rogers, the charity's puppy raising manager, said raising the puppies was not an easy task but it was enjoyable.
Guide dog owner Lena Welch said having a trained dog was "life-changing" for people with sight loss.
Lena Welch said her guide dog Alex gave her independence
Ms Welch, from Sidmouth, has had four guide dogs during her lifetime and said they helped her be independent. Before having a guide dog she could only go out with the help of a family member or friend.
"My guide dogs have been life changing," she said. I can just pick up the harness and go out for a pleasurable walk. It's just me and my dog and that's wonderful."