An urgent appeal has been launched for volunteers to open up their homes to guide dogs in training.
Scotland’s guide dog training centre in Forfar is calling for dog fosterers in a bid to help reduce waiting times for people living with sight loss.
It comes as people with sight loss face a wait of around 15 months or more for a pet to help them live independently and safely, according to Guide Dogs Scotland.
Eighteen-month-old Labrador Oake is beginning a new academy training programme at the training school.
It’s all part of preparations to match him up with someone with sight loss.
STV NewsAnd his trainer, guide dog mobility specialist Rob Bousie, has high hopes for him.
“Oake is a really good worker. He’s a really strong dog. As you can see, he’s a big dog and he really knows what it means to do the work.
“Hes strong in his guiding intention, he knows his objectives, he’s a really willing boy. He loves his biscuits when he gets a reward.”
Guide Dogs Scotland say over 80 people are urgently needing a guide dog in Scotland – but they face an anxious wait of about 15 months or more.
In an attempt to reduce those waiting times, the charity’s hired more trainers like Rob to work with an increasing number of dogs at its centre.
But it desperately needs many more volunteers either to help raise the puppies or to foster.
STV NewsThe facility, which has seen thousands of life-changing partnerships created since its launch, provides support and covers all costs including food and vet bills.
Guide Dogs Scotland’s Heather Wilson said: “The fosterers pretty much do bed and breakfast. The dogs get dropped off in the morning here at the school, people go away to their work and in the evening they pick up their dog take dog home so they have a dog in the evening.
“They also have a dog at the weekend they can take for walks.
“Volunteers are our unsung heroes and they are our army. They’re behind us and we just couldn’t do our job without them.”
The charity hopes to recruit more people like David Taylor, who says fostering is a very rewarding experience.
David said: “The biggest reason I wanted to make a real difference. I’ve always liked dogs but the idea of just a pet is not enough for me. By giving me time and patience, I can make a real difference to someone’s life.”
“When you take that dog and hand it to a service user and their face just lights up, it’s just amazing. The dogs are so needed.”
Find out more on the Guide Dogs for the Blind fostering page.
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