Welcome to Denver Eye-Paws, a puppy-raising club for Guide Dogs for the Blind!!
We are a group of individuals, families, and businesses whose mission is to support Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) by providing a positive environment for raising GDB puppies. This includes providing basic training, nurturing, and socializing of puppies so that they can be returned to GDB ready to learn more. These pups may then go on to become a guide for a visually impaired person, a prized member of the breeding stock, a loving K9 Buddy for a visually impaired child, or a beloved pet. We are ambassadors for GDB and visible symbols of volunteerism within our community.
Young Puppy and Raisers Bill Of Rights
As puppy raisers we always need to keep a clear perspective about what we are doing with each new pup we bring into our homes. The following link will take you to the "Young Puppy and Raisers Bill Of Rights" written by Have Paws Will Travel Web Mistress Andrea Loughry. Enjoy! http://hpwtdogmom.org/club/info/bill_of_rights.html
Photos
Photos from the Puppies Pool Party, something you just won't see everyday, visits to Johnson & Wales University and Denver Fire Station #14! See all the photos.
New! Videos of Puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind Main Site...
The Guide Dogs for the Blind home site is wonderfully done (maybe we should hire that web designer) and now has some great videos of the new puppies and the dogs who come back for their final training.
- Kennel Enrichment Program - these are some happy, well-cared for dogs (checkout the spa)
- Puppy Cam - OK, here is the prize page, see the baby fur-balls
- Resources - How To videos and other informative stuff
...And Don't Miss Podcasts too
Of course, our puppies are all over any new technology, including Podcasting and RSS feeds.
Visit Good Dog Podcasts to hear all the latest news.
...And Blogs and Other Web Stuff!
The GDB Blog http://guidedogs.blogspot.com/
Here's a blog site by Douglas's raiser. Douglas is one of Darrell's siblings.
The Daily Puppy
Meetings:
- Visit our calendar page to see the most detail for events
- Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.
- Raisers with new puppies (to 20 weeks) meet weekly. Locations will vary.
- 2nd Wednesday is "business" meeting, held September through May at the Denver School of the Arts, 7111 Montview Blvd., Denver, 80220 (over the summer the location varies, best to check the calendar). General obedience and socialization work.
- 4th Wednesday is typically a group socialization/training outing - mall walk, park, light rail ride, retirement home, restaurant, coffee shop, library etc.
- Required biannual regional meetings, usually on a Saturday in the Spring and Fall.
- Optional social activities are also scheduled each month.
Requirements and Expectations:
- Agrees to follow the puppy raiser requirements set by Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Provides a safe, loving home environment.
- Has a willingness to fulfill the socialization aspect of the puppy's training.
- Has the ability and willingness to attend 80% of mandatory meetings and socialization outings every 6-month period.
- Participate in mandatory puppy exchanges within the club.
- Engages in regular communication with leaders and RSVP's for meetings.
- Understands that raising a guide dog puppy is a 24-hour, 7-days a week commitment for a year or longer. The club does, however, make every attempt to accommodate vacations or emergency situations.
- Be willing to cover basic costs associated with puppy raising, including food, toys, gas to and from meetings, and any outing costs. The club does provide kennels and other items, and GDB covers all essential veterinary care.
