About
Guide Dogs is a charity which provide a wide range of services to support blind and partially sighted people.
Our ambition is for a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and ...
Respite Fosterer
Contact person
Scan me or visit www.sparkachange.org.uk/o/Guide-Dogs-South-West/opportunities/Respite-Fosterer/79901 to join
Summary
In this role you will provide a temporary home for a dog, using the support and guidance of Guide Dogs for the welfare and handling of the dog.Detailed description
What you’ll be doing
We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:
· Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for a dog.
· Looking after a dog at your home full time for a short period of time.
· Being available to drive the dog to a specified location when required e.g., vets.
· Ensuring the dog is fed, exercised, and cared for to maintain excellent health.
· Using positive reinforcement training techniques to teach or maintain behaviours.
· Ensuring the dog is not left alone for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period.
You’ll have
Ideally you will:
· Have a home with a safely fenced garden or safe area for the dog go to the toilet.
· Have dog handling experience but not essential.
· Be a confident and conscientious driver and have access to a car you are insured to drive.
If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, please get in touch and tell us why. We’re open to suggestions and happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible!
You’ll get
Volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time you will get a dedicated volunteer manager/key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with us. You’ll also get:
· The opportunity to care for and have the companionship of a dog for a short period of time.
· Dedicated support to develop your dog handling and welfare knowledge.
· The satisfaction knowing you are supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well, through supporting our dogs in training.
Training and support
This role has 6 to 8 hours of training and then you’ll be ready to go! This includes training on dog knowledge, care, and handling.
If you have questions about the training requirements, we can answer these at your interview along with any other support or accessibility needs you may have.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket.
We’ll make sure we pay any expenses related to your volunteering with us in line with our policy.
Minimum age: 18
What we will provide to volunteers
💸 Reimbursement of costs🤝 Extra supportAbout Guide Dogs South West
Our ambition is for a future where every person with sight loss has the confidence and support to live their lives to the full and we will not rest until people who are blind and partially sighted can enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.
Every hour, another person in the UK loses their sight, if this was to happen to you, Guide Dogs is there to make sure you receive the help and support you need.
On a daily basis our work transforms the lives of many people, helping them to lead lives of independence and freedom and we wouldn’t be able to do this without the support and dedication of our incredible volunteers.