TWO LITTERS, born one day apart, are being celebrated by local ‘guide dog mum mums’.
They are among the first people in the South East to take on the role with the charity Guide Dogs, and their puppies are set to become some of the first guide dogs born in the region.
This week, the seven-week-old puppies begin the next stage of their journey, as they leave the volunteers’ homes for Guide Dogs’ National Centre.
Their next, special steps coincide with Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), a UK-wide campaign that recognises the contribution of volunteers like the guide dog mum mums.
Sandra, from Marlow, and Jacquie, from Bicester, are the proud volunteer mums who have looked after the puppies up to this point.
This is part of their role as Brood Breeding Dog Holders, after the guide dog mums under their care, called Betsy and Ulanda, had litters on April 12 and 13 respectively.
This Volunteers’ Week, as the litters take a step closer to becoming guide dogs, the charity is calling for more locals to help bring puppies with a purpose into the world.
This follows a recent move by Guide Dogs to open the Brood Breeding Dog Holder role to people living in East Berkshire, South Buckinghamshire, and parts of Oxfordshire for the first time – including Jacquie.
Jacquie became a guide dog mum mum for the first time when Ulanda’s puppies arrived.
The litter of seven is also Ulanda’s first. Jacquie, a Brood Breeding Dog Holder from Bicester in Oxfordshire, says: “I was already a full-time mum of three and marketing consultant.
“Now I’m also a Breeding Dog Holder, or guide dog mum mum.
“I signed up the same day I heard about the role.
“We’d been planning to get another dog after our two sadly passed away, so it felt easy saying yes to a dog that can leave a positive mark beyond our own family, particularly since my husband and I work from home.
“Ulanda’s pups will hopefully go on to make a real difference for people with sight loss.”
Betsy’s litter of nine might be her first, but she’s in experienced hands.
Sandra lives on what was the edge of the previous catchment area for Brood Breeding Dog Holders, so has already been able to look after two guide dog mums: Betsy’s mum and grandma.
All three generations continue to live at home with her.
Sandra, a Brood Breeding Dog Holder from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, says: “I’d never had a dog before Poppy, my first guide dog mum.
“Now, I’ve got Poppy, Poppy’s daughter Riley, Riley’s daughter Betsy, and Betsy and her puppies all living under one roof.
Each litters’ little milestones are just as special as the last.
“From the first time their eyes open and their first solid foods, right through to saying goodbye.
“Watching the mums get back to enjoying ‘everyday dog life’ and keeping in touch with guide dog owners I’ve met along the way puts it in perspective and makes everything worthwhile.”
Guide dog puppies stay in Brood Breeding Dog Holders’ homes for at least six weeks.
They then transition to Guide Dogs’ National Centre in Leamington Spa to begin the next stage of their journey to becoming guide dogs.
Brood Breeding Dog Holders play a vital role in nurturing future guide dogs in their earliest days.
They also provide a loving home and support for guide dog mums aged 12 months or older, until they retire at around 7 years old.
There is the option to re-home guide dog mums after this.
With hundreds of people across the UK waiting for a guide dog, Guide Dogs has extended the crucial role to more people living in parts of the South East.
The charity is now actively recruiting Brood Breeding Dog Holders in areas across East Berkshire, South Buckinghamshire, and parts of Oxfordshire, and is looking for 30 volunteers in these regions to sign up.
Su Price, Breeding Dog Advisor at Guide Dogs for the South East, said: “Breeding Dog Holders have a hugely important and rewarding role to play.
“By giving a guide dog mum a loving, long-term home, and helping her bring puppies into the world, you’ll help us provide more life-changing guide dogs to people with sight loss.
“Guide Dogs is there to support every step of the way.
“We ensure volunteers have all the training and equipment they need to feel well-prepared to care for our mums, and their puppies, when they arrive.
“With new opportunities now open in parts of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, I’d urge people in these regions to consider volunteering.”
Brood Breeding Dog Holder volunteers need to be able to offer a loving home with a secure garden; have access to a car; live within one of the catchment areas; and be willing to travel to the National Centre in Leamington Spa when required. Guide Dogs pays for any volunteering or litter-related expenses, including veterinary costs, food costs, and any specialist breeding equipment.
For information, visit: guidedogs.org.uk
