Puppy caring makes Anna's day

Since October 2017, Anna Day and her family have been puppy carers for Ike, a gorgeous nine month old lab. As carers, it is their responsibility to make sure that Ike adheres to a strict series of rules so that he may one day become a qualified Seeing Eye Dog. Anna maintains that although the rules are more stringent, they’re not too hard to enforce.

“There is more of an obligation because of what Ike will hopefully go on to do. You can’t fall into bad habits. We’ve let our old dogs onto the bed and can’t undo it, We have to be stricter with Ike. On a day to day basis there’s no difference, he’s our dog. He’s just as much a part of the family as any of our previous pets were.”

One aspect about puppy caring that Anna is particularly fond of is how much it is helping to educate her daughters about the world around them.

“As a family we’re proud to be involved and it feels great to give back in this way. When my girls see someone in the community who is blind with a Seeing Eye Dog, they’ll say ‘That’s what we’re doing.’ I think it’s great that they know this.”

Being a part of the family means taking part in family activities. Anna’s daughters are heavily into sports, and as a result, it is something that Ike has become involved with as well.

“My daughters play netball and basketball. As Ike comes with us when they’re at training he has somewhat become the unofficial mascot of the Mornington basketball stadium.”

When you become a puppy carer with Seeing Eye Dogs, you are assigned to a trainer that can help field any questions you may have while you have your pup. All of the essentials are also paid for so you are not out of pocket. This level of support has certainly not gone unnoticed, as Anna points out.

“There’s so much more support. You muddle through with a regular pet. I like the support. Compared to our friends who have regular puppies, we feel so much more equipped to deal with issues as they arise.”

When Ike is eighteen months old, he will return to the world-class training facility in Kensington to continue his full-time training to become a fully-fledged Seeing Eye Dog. This is the aspect of puppy caring that most commonly stops people from pursuing it. Anna and her family know it is coming, but continue as carers anyway.

“Knowing that you’re part of a bigger future for him is very rewarding. Seeing how amazingly smart these dogs are and knowing you’ve played a part in bettering someone else’s life makes it all worthwhile.”

Unfortunately, there are more puppies that need homes then there are puppy carers, an issue that is constantly staring Seeing Eye Dogs in the face. The general issue they find is that potential puppy carers worry about having to give their puppies back to continue their training. Anna’s message to anyone that is considering becoming a puppy carer speaks for itself.

“I think that we do hear, as puppy carers, so often that it’s something people want to do but they feel they just couldn’t give them up. I’d love for people to think about the bigger picture. You meet so many people who would be great carers but are put off by that fact. I think they’re missing out, just open your mind and take a chance.”

For more information about becoming a puppy carer with Seeing Eye Dogs, please visit https://sed.visionaustralia.org/