Tag Archives: Puppies

Life of a volunteer puppy raiser

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Lori Wadsworth and ElectraMy name is Lori Wadsworth, and I’m a Puppy Raiser for Guide Dogs of Texas. My puppy’s name is Electra, and she turned a year old on April 9, 2014. She was 8.5 weeks old when I brought her home. The “E” litter is super smart and caught on quickly from the very start. My goal in raising Electra is to do the very best that I can in obedience training, play sessions, free run sessions, and training walks in order for her to move up into Advanced Training.  Even though it will be really hard to give her up, I am excited about her future career.

Electra goes everywhere with me:  the grocery store, library, nail salon, hair salon, doctor’s office, Starbucks, church, and the list goes on and on.  We Guide Dogs of Texas logotry to schedule play dates as well at Guide Dogs of Texas with her brother, Eddie, who has the same energy level as my little Electra.  When she isn’t working or walking (which are her two very favorite things to do), she is allowed to be just a regular, well-behaved dog. We are not without our challenges, but she is maturing rapidly and thus our challenges are much fewer now.

There are many things I love about being a Puppy Raiser, but the things I love most are watching her get so excited when I ask her if she’s ready to walk or go to work and the fact that we go everywhere together. Puppy Raising requires a lot of time and patience (with the dog and yourself), but it is so rewarding. Electra is my first pup, but she will definitely not be my last. Puppy Raisers have an excellent support system as help is only a text, email, or phone call away. I would highly encourage anyone with a love for animals and the willingness to make a huge, but overwhelmingly satisfying, commitment to be a Puppy Raiser.

Here at Guide Dogs of Texas, every puppy holds the promise of being someone’s eyes.   The dedication of our volunteer Puppy Raisers and the many hours they put into the puppies builds a strong foundation for the puppies’ future.   Would you like to be involved in Puppy Raising?

If you would like to help by donating or volunteering your time to this great local organization please contact our office at 210.366.4081 or visit our website at www.GuideDogsofTexas.org.  No joy can equal the joy serving others and we at Guide Dogs of Texas know that “Volunteering is a work of Heart”!

Another way to help is recently we added “Donate a Car for a cause” to our website.  Go to this link to learn more: http://www.donatecarusa.com/charities/guide-dogs-of-texas/landing

 

 

 

Guide Dogs of Texas Golf Classic set for May 18

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Guide Dogs of Texas logoEnjoy a wonderful day of golf and support Guide Dogs of Texas.

Sign up now for the Guide Dogs of Texas Golf Classic on Sunday, May 18 at the award-winning Canyon Springs Golf Club.  Tee-time for this wonderful event is at 1:30 p.m. and will include guide dogs and puppies walking the course, blind-fold putting contest, blind golfing contests, amazing catering, some big-name players, silent auction, and the good will of supporting this worthwhile charity. Each player receives snacks on the course, a player gift, generous buffet dinner, door prizes, stuffed goody bags, green fees and cart.  Dr. Andrew Geller, owner of South Texas Veterinary Ophthalmology, is Tournament Chairman.

DSC_0008Whether you play golf or not, you can support Guide Dogs of Texas AND buy some incredible gifts by participating on the tournament’s online auction process from May 1 through May 27 at http://www.32auctions.com/guidedogsoftexas.  Items include San Antonio Spurs tickets for the 2014-2015 season, an autographed basketball, Miranda Lambert autographed guitar, an original painting from John Bramblitt and much more!

Former International Blind Golf Association World Champion Bruce Hooper will play in the tournament.  Proceeds from the tournament will fund the successful programs and services of Guide Dogs of Texas, the only guide dog school in the state of Texas and one of only 11 in the United States.  Guide Dogs of Texas provides quality guide dogs for Texans who are visually impaired to increase their freedom, mobility, and independence.

Guide Dogs of Texas is 100% donor supported through corporations, foundations, churches, civic groups and individuals. It does not receive government funding nor insurance payments. In compliance with international certification, when a client receives a dog, the charge is $1 for a highly trained service dog, ongoing training for the client and aftercare visits for the team.

 

 

Welcoming new puppies for guide dog training – can you help?

By North SA Chamber Editor
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Guide Dogs of Texas logoIt’s that time of year and we couldn’t be more excited. This year will bring at least one, possibly two, litters of new pups to Guide Dogs of Texas. At GDTX, these pups have been specially bred for a life as a guide dog. Great care is taken with these pups from the very moment they are born. Planning begins months in advance and that is where you come in.

We are creating a special nursery to raise the puppies during their first eight weeks of life and to develop their sensory, social, problem-solving and physical skills in preparation for their future jobs. We are re-configuring the available space and are stocking the nursery. We are in need of puppy supplies to include a whelping pool, video baby monitor, exercise pens, storage tubs, baby wipes, feeding supplies, puppy ID bands, very special small collars, and puppy development toys, to name a few.

Guide Dogs IMG_7772Mom will need special veterinary care and lab work prior to delivery, and once the puppies arrive, the vet will be extra busy with initial vet visits to include thorough exams and shots. The puppies will be acclimating to all kinds of sights and sounds from the moment they are born. Toys are used to encourage exploration and to test curiosity. Every precaution is taken to help these puppies put their best paw forward for a life as the eyes for a visually impaired Texan. Can you help?

We estimate the cost of the supplies listed here to be approximately $5,000. Your donation today, in any amount, will help us to stock the nursery. All contributors to the breeding program will receive an invitation to “Puppy Induction,” the day when the puppies graduate from the nursery and are sent home with volunteer Puppy Raisers. Mark your donation for “Breeding Program” and your gift will be used to welcome the new puppies in 2014.

To Donate now online please go to https://www.youcaring.com/GDTxPuppyProgram