Call For Puppy Raisers: International Guide Dog Day

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs is appealing for puppy raisers in Auckland as International Guide Dog Day rolls out on Wednesday.

Sara Leavy has been a puppy raiser for Blind Low Vision NZ for the past 3 years.

The Stanley Point resident, on Auckland's North Shore, is relishing raising third pup Emma.

Her first two charges Ivy and Aztec both qualified for the guide dogs programme, which only accepts the best dogs.

Getting the phone call to hear your pup has been matched is one of the best moments, Leavy said.

“It makes you so unbelievably happy and weepy," she said.

“To know that after all the work that’s gone into the pup – from the breeding centre, trainers, vets, boarders, as well as our patience and time – has all been worth it.

"That the dog will now meet their new handler and together they will be a team, exploring the world together, is an amazing feeling.”

Saying goodbye to a pup as they left for formal training was a mixture of sadness and excitement, she said.

“I have three kids and I see the pups like my kids. I want to make them well socialised, well-mannered and then I want them to go out into the big wide world as a working adult making a difference.”


Her youngest son, smitten with their first puppy, started to research the difference guide dogs made in people’s lives.


“He would talk about a girl who had become blind at 13 years old and hadn’t left the house until she got her first guide dog at 17," Leavy said.

Her world just opened up.

Rochelle Corrigan, Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs Puppy Placement and Development Manager said puppy raisers were essential.


“Our puppies need to have as many experiences and social outings as possible in the first year of their lives to best prepare them for life as a guide dog and this could simply not be achieved without the dedication of our fantastic volunteers.”