At two months of age, the puppies are placed with foster families who raise the pups during their first year. The puppy raisers receive instruction during regular visits by the Puppy Raising Supervisor. This includes becoming accustomed to traffic movement and noise, sitting quietly for periods of time, and generally becoming acclimated to as many typical everyday situations as possible. Conditioning the puppies to a wide range of activities such as going to work, shopping at malls or supermarkets, visiting friends, dining at restaurants or traveling on a bus prepares them for their further training as guide dogs. Although the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind supplies the dog food and pays the veterinarian expenses, the puppy raiser donates time, effort, love and care.
Puppy raisers are vital to our work, and are deeply appreciated.
At the age of one year, the dogs are returned to the Center for five months of training. During this time, the dogs learn all that is necessary to prepare them for guiding their blind companion. Finally, a suitable match is made with a blind Israeli, who receives instruction in working together with the guide dog. As much as eight to ten years of safe mobility can be enjoyed from such a partnership. The blind person receives the guide dog, instruction and regular home visits during the working life of the dog at no charge.