A guide dog puppy raised in Cumbria is now changing the life of someone with sight loss.
Sight loss charity Guide Dogs is celebrating the success of Vernon and is calling for more volunteer puppy raisers in the region.
Vernon, a yellow Labrador, moved in with volunteer puppy raiser Una Fife from St Bees in August 2023 when he was just eight weeks old, when Guide Dogs first started recruiting for the role in the area.
He spent a year with Una, learning all the vital socialisation and basic skills needed to become a life-changing guide dog, before moving to Atherton for his early training and then to Maidstone to complete his advanced training.
Earlier this year, Vernon was matched with his new owner, who said he has transformed her life.
She added: “I really appreciate the hard work and dedication that Una put into his early years, and the many years of experience that have gone into his training. He is a worthy tribute to all that effort.”
The Puppy Raiser scheme was launched in Cumbria in 2023 to help recruit more volunteers to take care of guide dog puppies for the first year of their life.
Puppy raisers provide a vital foundation for the puppy’s future role as a guide dog through training, socialisation and the introduction of new environments and experiences.
Una said: “I loved every minute I had with him; he was not only very cute but a delight to look after and raise.
“Of course I was heartbroken when he left for training but I was given regular updates by his trainers as to how he was progressing.
“When we heard he had qualified, I was so proud of him and felt privileged to have been given the opportunity to be part of his journey.
“Then to hear from his new owner herself and to hear how much Vernon means to her, well it just makes it all so worth it! That’s when you hear just how important and loved these dogs are and will continue to be.
“It’s lovely being part of the Cumbria group of volunteer puppy raisers, we get to meet at puppy classes or days out, it’s quite a sociable thing where we all help each other out when need be.
“My puppy raising journey with Vernon was so enjoyable that I jumped at the chance for another puppy and now he’s ready to leave for training too. Let’s hope he does as well as Vernon!”
Guide Dogs is hoping to find a further 30 homes in Cumbria to meet the growing demand for guide dogs across the UK.
For more information about becoming a puppy raiser, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppyraiser or call 0800 781 1444.
