Guide Dogs has recently expanded its team and invested in a larger site in Sheffield so they can support more people living with sight loss in South Yorkshire.  The charity’s new training centre, located at Sheffield Business Park, now means more dogs can be trained, and the charity is therefore in need of more volunteers to help care for them.

As a Volunteer Fosterer you’ll provide a temporary home for a future guide dog, as they complete their specialised training at the new training centre. Guide Dogs covers the cost of all the food, veterinary care and equipment required for each dog and provides full training and support.

Daniel Swain, Volunteering Coordinator for Guide Dogs in Sheffield, said: “Fosterers usually care for dogs that are between 14-24 months of age and will be required to drop off and pick up the dog each day, much like the ‘school run’. The dog will then spend evenings and weekends with the volunteer enjoying some well-deserved downtime and plenty of cuddles!”

A guide dog begins its formal training at around 12-14 months old and, in usual circumstances, most dogs qualify as working guide dogs by the age of two. The two main breeds the charity uses are Labradors and Golden Retrievers, which are crossed to gain the best characteristics of each breed. These make up almost 80 per cent of the charity’s dogs.

German Shepherds, Curly Coat Retrievers and Labrador-Poodle crosses are also used within the Guide Dogs breeding programme.

Daniel adds: “As we bring more dogs through our breeding and training programmes, we are in real need of more volunteers to help care for our puppies or training dogs.”

“As we aim to support more people living with sight loss in South Yorkshire, if you think you could provide a loving temporary home for one of our dogs please do get in touch!”

If you would like to apply to foster a trainee guide dog, visit:  https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering

Guide Dogs will also be holding an Open Day on Saturday 8th June for members of the public, where you’ll be able to learn more about volunteering opportunities available. For more information, please email VolunteerNorthEast@guidedogs.org.uk.

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