I‘M SURE many of you will have seen the programme Me and My Guide Dog on ITV this month.

The show features volunteer puppy parents, otherwise known as puppy walkers.

Puppy walkers are vital to our dog training programme and support and nurture one of our amazing dogs from six-seven weeks of age until they are about 14 months old.

It is a demanding yet rewarding role as the pups cannot be left for more than a couple of hours at a time, but you get to see them grow from a little fluffy bundle of mischief, into a dog that will bring a person with sight loss renewed independence and confidence.

You will also need a suitable area for the young dog to “do their business” and a private enclosed garden.

You will have support and training from a staff supervisor as you feed and care for the puppy, get them used to lots of different environments and teach them basic commands. Bills for food, any vets’ expenses, inoculations and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are also covered by Guide Dogs.

If you live in the areas around Hexham, Corbridge or Heddon-on-the-Wall, would like to be part of the team that provides a world-class service to people who are blind and partially sighted, and can give one of our precious pups a loving and secure home for the first part of their Guide Dog journey, please contact volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk or phone 0845 371 7771.

CLAIRE DEVINE

Volunteering consultant North-East & Cumbria