The retirees who've raised 18 guide dog pups

[Scrappi&Monty]

Lovely article  

 

 

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-02/meet-the-retirees-who-have-raised-18-guide-dog-puppies/8999554

 

ARTICLE:

 

When Ian and Eileen Henderson's family pet died 15 years ago, the Sydney couple was devastated.

But from that loss came the idea for training puppies to become guide dogs, and now the pair has been recognised for helping visually impaired people win back their independence.

The veteran trainers have been featured in a new book celebrating the 60th anniversary of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT — and they're not done yet.

 

They are currently raising their 18th puppy, a 15-week-old male golden Labrador called Feris.

"Like any new dog, we have to teach Feris toilet training, commands like sit and stay, walking on a leash," Mr Henderson said.

"But we also have to make sure he can ignore distractions, like traffic on a busy road or a group of excited school children."

After 12 months, Feris will be handed back to Guide Dogs NSW, who will decide if he can care for a visually impaired person.

 

 

"Returning the first dog was very hard, but we learnt after so many years that if we do the right thing with this animal, then it's going to help someone less fortunate than us," Ms Henderson said.

"You don't often get to see the dog again because of privacy reasons, but we were united with one of our dogs once, and it was so beautiful — we felt like we were making a difference."

While celebrating the couple's journey as trainers, the 60 Tails book also features stories about people with sight loss and how they've benefited from having a guide dog.

"We were really touched to be part of the 60th anniversary of Guide Dogs NSW. I always get very emotional when I look back at all the dogs we've raised," Ms Henderson said.

"Seeing our dogs at graduation, you feel like a proud parent and you get a bit teary. I just think, 'there's my baby', it's quite emotional."

'We couldn't do it without volunteers'

Guide Dogs veterinarian Dr Caroline Moeser said it cost about $35,000 to breed and train each guide dog.

"We rely so heavily on volunteers like Eileen and Ian because we receive less than 2 per cent of funding from the government," she said.

"It's thanks to the generous support of the public that we can continue to provide crucial services to visually impaired people."

Mr and Mrs Henderson would like to see more retirees get involved in raising puppies to become guide dogs.

"It's a great way to enter retirement because you only have the dog for a year, so you don't have to worry about whether you'll still be around," Mr Henderson joked.

"After that year, you can then go on holiday or do something else, but you do have to really commit yourselves to the pup for that period."

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is currently looking for 60 people to help raise puppies to become full-time guide dogs.

 

Edited October 2, 2017 by Scrappi&Monty

[asal]

My cousin and one of my best friends, yep married into the family she liked us so much. are raising their third guide puppy, they love doing it