The far-reaching rewards of puppy caring

For volunteer puppy carer Narelle, her husband and their three daughters, helping to raise puppies for Seeing Eye Dogs isn’t just fun and games – it's also a wonderful opportunity to learn some valuable life lessons.

“The girls have learnt that sometimes it can be really hard to let go of something or give something up, but if it benefits someone else, then that's an experience worth having,” says Narelle.

Narelle and her family are currently raising a fourth Seeing Eye Dogs puppy, Aqua, and so have had a lot of practice saying goodbye to pups that have been cherished household additions for 12 months at a time.

“It's a learning thing [to give the pups back to Seeing Eye Dogs], but you're excited for the next journey – both for the pup and the people who are blind or have low vision that they're helping,” says Narelle. “It's been something that I think has drawn us closer as a family, because we are all excited about getting a new Seeing Eye Dogs pup, and then about being a part of the pup’s development and growth.” 

Seeing these dogs transform from playful puppies into working professionals is another highlight for Narelle, who relishes the opportunity to develop her own dog training skills.

“The best thing for me is having a puppy development trainer [PDT],” says Narelle. “Aqua is the most chilled pup and she's a breeze at home, but she's very scent driven. When we're out, she wants to smell everything. So, my PDT provided tailored advice and special equipment for her, which have been really helpful and things that most people wouldn't know to try [when training a puppy].

“That learning experience has been so good, as it just gives you the confidence that, ‘Oh yeah, I can do this’.”  

Narelle acknowledges that puppy caring certainly involves some hard work – “There have been times that are challenging” – but continues to come back time and again because she loves being able to make a contribution that can help change someone’s life.

“It's so rewarding to work with the pup and your PDT and see the pup develop. It’s just like with your own children, really, when they achieve something, or they've worked hard at something.  

" I think working as a team with the pup is quite unique, as you're putting in just as much effort as the pup to learn something new or different. Getting them over the line and seeing them grow is incredibly rewarding.”

At the end of each 12-month period with a puppy, giving them back to Seeing Eye Dogs is of course emotional, but for Narelle, it’s also a beautiful experience as she realises all the work has paid off. Whether the pup goes on to become a working Seeing Eye Dog or a breeding dog for Seeing Eye Dogs or an assistance dog with another organisation, Narelle knows she and her family have helped shape someone’s future for the better.

“I've been fortunate enough to have raised four pups. Hearing stories of how these dogs have changed their families’ lives has just been wonderful.  

“Whatever the outcome for the dog is, you just know they bring such joy and comfort, and they can change a person’s life completely by giving them their independence.”

With Aqua on track to start her formal training to become a Seeing Eye Dog soon, Narelle and her family are already planning for their next pup.

“Believe it or not, we're even talking about doing a little extension to the house, and part of that is to give the pups a bit more space out of our kitchen area,” says Narelle, before adding with a laugh, “We're not doing it just for them, but we thought it would actually be really good for the pups!”