Guide Dogs NI

Guide Dogs NI

Volunteer No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Become a Puppy Raiser and provide essential training and care for guide dog puppies.
  • Company: Guide Dogs NI supports people with sight loss through dedicated volunteer opportunities.
  • Benefits: Enjoy expenses covered, world-class training, and the joy of raising a puppy.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in someone's life while enjoying the companionship of a puppy.
  • Qualifications: A loving home, time for training, and ability to handle large dogs are essential.
  • Other info: Join a supportive community of puppy raisers and receive ongoing training and assistance.

Volunteer Now has partnered with Be Collective to bring a dedicated online platform for volunteering to Northern Ireland. The platform supports volunteers through the volunteering process and helps connect more people with a wider range of opportunities. There are lots of great features to Be Collective like messaging, making a profile, and being able to compile all your experiences, training and roles as well as the skills gained within a social CV. You can search and apply for volunteer roles below. If you can’t find anything you like at the moment – register now, then check back soon – new opportunities are added all the time!

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training.

As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll provide a puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You’ll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences whilst providing a loving home. There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Engaging with our world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
  • Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
  • Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
  • Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
  • Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
  • Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
  • Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

You’ll ideally have:

  • A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you’ll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
  • Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
  • Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
  • The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
  • A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

What you’ll get:

  • The satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
  • The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
  • The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
  • The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
  • The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs Family, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
  • A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

Puppy training classes and regular support:

As a volunteer you’ll have access to our world-class training programme, Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP), to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you’ll have access to include:

  • Food manners
  • Greeting new visitors
  • Being home alone
  • Settling in new environments

You’ll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques. If you have questions about the training requirements, we’ll be very happy to answer these at your interview along with addressing any other support or accessibility needs you may have.

If you would like to apply or chat to someone about this then please contact Volattractnorth@guidedogs.org.uk

Tasks and responsibilities:

  • As a Puppy Raiser, you’ll provide a puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You’ll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences whilst providing a loving home.
  • Engaging with our world-class Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
  • Providing care and support for your puppy at home, loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
  • Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.
  • Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.

Skills and experience gained:

  • Adaptability
  • Animal Welfare
  • Communication Skills
  • Dog Walking
  • Event Support
  • General Pet Care and Love
  • Teamwork

Causes supported:

  • Community
  • Disability Services
  • Equality
  • Family Support
  • Human Rights
  • Older People
  • Young People

Guide Dogs NI employer: Volunteer Now

Guide Dogs NI is an exceptional employer that offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with sight loss. As a Puppy Raiser, you will not only receive comprehensive training and support but also become part of a compassionate community dedicated to animal welfare and social impact. With expenses covered and a focus on personal growth, this role provides a unique chance to engage with like-minded individuals while nurturing a loving puppy who will go on to change lives.
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Contact Detail:

Volunteer Now Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Guide Dogs NI

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Guide Dogs NI mission and values. Understanding their commitment to supporting people with sight loss will help you convey your passion for the role during any discussions or interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Engage with the local puppy raising community. Attend events or online forums where current puppy raisers share their experiences. This will not only give you insights into the role but also help you build connections that could be beneficial when applying.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with dogs, even if it's informal. Highlight any relevant skills or situations where you've demonstrated care, training, or socialisation of pets, as this will show your readiness for the responsibilities of a Puppy Raiser.

✨Tip Number 4

Be proactive in asking questions about the role during your interview. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand what is expected, making you a more appealing candidate for the position.

We think you need these skills to ace Guide Dogs NI

Animal Care
Dog Training
Socialisation Techniques
Time Management
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-Solving Skills
Basic Veterinary Knowledge
Patience
Empathy
Community Engagement
Record Keeping
Physical Fitness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Puppy Raiser. Familiarise yourself with the training programme and the commitment required to raise a puppy for 12-16 months.

Tailor Your Application: When writing your application, highlight any relevant experience you have with dogs or volunteering. Be specific about how your skills align with the role, such as your ability to provide care and socialisation for a puppy.

Show Your Passion: Express your enthusiasm for animal welfare and helping those with sight loss. Share personal stories or motivations that demonstrate why you want to be a Puppy Raiser and how it aligns with your values.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Volunteer Now

✨Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare

Make sure to express your genuine love for animals, especially dogs. Share any previous experiences you have with pets or volunteering, as this will demonstrate your commitment to the role of a Puppy Raiser.

✨Highlight Your Availability

Since the role requires significant time investment, be clear about your availability. Discuss how you plan to balance your daily activities with the needs of the puppy, showing that you can commit to the 12-16 month period.

✨Prepare Questions About Training

Familiarise yourself with the Puppy Raising for Excellent Partnerships (PREP) training programme. Prepare thoughtful questions about the training modules and support available, which shows your eagerness to learn and engage.

✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills

Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with others, including your volunteer manager and fellow puppy raisers. Share examples of past teamwork experiences to illustrate your communication and support skills.

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