Assistance dog charity Canine Partners held an Open Day on the island for people interested in fundraising, becoming a puppy parent or foster parent to find out more about how they can get involved – and it’s been hailed a success.
The registered charity, which trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, invited members of the public to The Pavilion in Newport on Tuesday 27th October and had a fantastic turnout.
Attendees watched a demonstration of 14-week old yellow Labrador puppy Cooper learning to carry out basic obedience and core skills, before witnessing demo dogs Angel and Georgia perform tasks the Charity’s assistance dogs carry out for their disabled partners. Tasks included unloading clothes from a washing machine, removing their handler’s hat, gloves and jacket and picking up items from the floor such as a credit card and keys.
Deborah Flux, Isle of Wight Puppy Group Trainer, said:
“It was a fantastic day. The people who came along seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves and it was encouraging to see them join our ‘purple army of volunteers’ on the island.
“The Isle of Wight puppy group and fundraisers is a dedicated and friendly bunch of people, who give up their valuable time in order to help transform the lives of people with disabilities.
“If you are interested in joining the Isle of Wight puppy group or fundraise for us then it is not too late to contact us.”
Canine Partners, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is looking for people who have time, commitment and who can take a puppy into their home from the age of eight weeks until they are 12 to 14 months old. These puppy parents will need to be available to attend regular training classes at The Pavilion and teach the pup socialisation skills, basic obedience and core tasks every day. Puppy food, toys, equipment, training, reasonable travel expenses and all veterinary costs are covered by Canine Partners.
Volunteer puppy parent Annette Scivier, 51, from Freshwater said:
“Paige and I walk in rain or shine, whether it be through a muddy field with cows above Freshwater Bay or just once along a busy main road to get used to the noise of the traffic. It’s important to get the puppies used to all the different environments they may encounter when partnered with someone who has disabilities later on in their lives.
“The Isle of Wight puppy training group has been a great encouragement to any challenges I have faced and we share the funny episodes and triumphs of the puppies and their characters which we all get to know.”
The Charity is also looking for people to become volunteer foster parents to temporarily look after puppies while their puppy parents are on holiday, as well as people to attend events and fundraise on behalf of Canine Partners, which does not receive any government funding and relies solely on donations and legacies.
For more information about joining Canine Partners Isle of Wight team email [email protected] or call 01730 716017.
