DOG FRIENDLY people are being urged to become puppy ‘socialisers’ for Support Dogs.
The charity is looking for people in Barnsley to take care of puppies who are training to become assistance dogs and wants to increase the number of dogs it trains by taking on 12 eight-week puppies over the next year.
In the past Support Dogs has recruited prospective assistance dogs between the ages of 10 and 18 months from a variety of sources including other Assistance Dogs UK charities, rescue centres, council dog pounds, and unwanted pets.
However, they are not finding enough suitable dogs so the puppies will add to these existing sources to help the charity meet the current demand.
‘Puppy socialisers’ will be expected to be at home for most of the day to dedicate their time to training and raising a puppy, and attend regular group obedience classes to further their training.
The puppies will need to be looked after for up to 15 months before they embark on their full training.
“Just loving cute puppies is not enough potential puppy socialisers will have to be prepared to put in some hard work, cope with typical puppy behaviour and are committed to meeting the puppy’s physical and mental needs,” said Support Dogs’ chief executive Rita Howson.
Ms Howson added that Support Dogs received more than 3,500 requests for its services in the past year from individuals and families in need, double the previous year.
Support Dogs is running an open day for prospective puppy socialisers at its training centre in Brightside, Sheffield, on Wednesday January 10. For information contact Support Dogs on 0114 2617800 or email info@supportdogs.org.uk
