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Home Litter Care

Caring for a litter of adorable Guiding Eyes puppies can be one of the most extraordinary opportunities Guiding Eyes has to offer.

A supportive experience for a strong beginning

Welcome a Brood and Her Puppies into Your Home

Home Litter Care volunteers welcome a brood dog and her newborn puppies into their home, offering both a safe, positive environment for the dogs and a joyful, fulfilling experience for themselves. Over the course of 3 to 5 weeks, HLC volunteers provide loving care, gentle massage, and progressive socialization to help the puppies thrive. They also create a calm, supportive atmosphere with light exercise for the brood as she cares for her pups. The time required to properly care for these treasured houseguests varies with the size of the litter.

As a Home Litter Volunteer, you play a vital role in giving potential future guide dogs a strong start during their first weeks of learning and growing. Guiding Eyes provides all the equipment, training, and support you need to ensure a positive and rewarding experience.

We’re excited that you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Home Litter Care volunteer. In this section, you’ll find key information to help you decide if this opportunity is right for you, and we’re always available to answer any questions.

If you live within one hour of our Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY, please carefully review our program requirements.

 

Please enjoy this video and hear directly from a Home Litter Care volunteer about their experience!

Is this opportunity right for you?

HLC Volunteer Requirements and Responsibilities:

  • Live within one hour of the Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY.
  • Successfully complete 1 to 2 afternoons of training at the Canine Development Center.
  • Commit to 3 to 5 weeks of continuous care.
  • Be willing to travel to Guiding Eyes facilities, (Yorktown or Patterson, NY), for veterinary care if needed or in case of emergency.
  • Be able to provide an area in the home to house the brood and puppies, that’s heated and air conditioned with sufficient room and a durable floor that can be easily cleaned and disinfected.
  • Have flexibility in their schedule to allow early morning, afternoon, and evening care.
  • Keep the area pen clean, fully scrubbing and disinfecting once per day, plus frequently changing newspaper.
  • Feed the brood and puppies three times per day.
  • Socialize the puppies in progressive age-appropriate sessions each day.
  • Take the brood for four to five short walks per day.
  • Keep household pets separate from the brood and puppies.
  • Adhere to vaccination protocol for other dogs in the home.

Guiding Eyes Support You Can Count On:

  • Previous experience is a plus, but not necessary. Guiding Eyes provides you and your family with all the necessary training. Family members primarily responsible for the care of the litter must attend the training class, but we respectfully request that small children do not attend the training.
  • 24 hour emergency care is available if the brood or one of the pups gets sick. Guiding Eyes Veterinary staff is on call for health and veterinary concerns. We provide 24-hour emergency contact numbers for both the Veterinary staff and the Whelping Kennel staff.
  • Home Litter Care volunteers are provided with all the equipment and supplies needed for puppy and brood care, including a pen, a crate for transportation, leash, food, bowls, and toys. This does not include newspaper nor a surface protector for floors (strongly recommended).

Have a question? Email us at emartin@guidingeyes.org.

Home Litter Care Application

Home Litter Care enriches the lives and experiences of our puppies when you share your home environment. A brood and her puppies are placed in your home, under your care, for a period of 3 to 5 weeks. If you fulfill the eligibility requirements and are interested in this extraordinary experience, we look forward to receiving your application.

 

All volunteers are asked to review and adhere to a Code of Conduct.

For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Martin at emartin@guidingeyes.org.

Home Litter Care Application






Must live within 1 hour travel time to Canine Development Center











Click all that apply


























It is helpful for us to know where you work. We will not contact your employer without first notifying you.



HLC Staff Only

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