Volunteer Role: Boarders Needed!...to provide temporary accommodation for a dog at home on behalf of Guide Dogs

Volunteer Role: Boarder

To provide temporary accommodation for a dog at home on behalf of Guide Dogs, and to comply with the Boarders Agreement in relation to the welfare and handling of the dog or puppy. 

Location: At home

There are several types of boarding opportunities:

1. During Training, boarding is overnight and at weekends from the age of one
• Early Training Boarders take younger dogs for 16 weeks
• Advanced Training Boarders take dogs for the next 10 weeks
In some cases it is possible to board for the entire 26 weeks training period

2. Puppy Boarders, Brood Bitch and Stud Dog Boarders support those volunteers who home puppies or breeding dogs full time, for example taking the dog full time if a volunteer is not able to take it on holiday or they are taken ill.

3. Client boarders board working dogs for short periods full time on those occasions clients are unable to make their own arrangements

4. At some sites a small number of Respite Boarders support teams when we need someone to care for dogs unexpectedly. This is for varying periods, for example taking dogs full time if they don’t settle in kennels, are unwell or they are withdrawn from training.

What does the role involve?
• Training boarders need to drop off their dogs 8-9am and pick up 5-6pm at a Guide Dogs site or a site near a trainers’ home. Local teams can discuss details and maximum travel time possible.
• Willing to provide a welcoming and safe environment for a dog or puppy for the time required. Providing a consistent home is particularly important for our dogs in training
• Ensuring the dog or puppy is fed and exercised as directed
• Embedding the same behaviour and commands as your supervisor
• In the event of an emergency, ensure the dog or puppy receives veterinary care and Guide Dogs is informed immediately.

What skills or experience are required?
• All boarders will be required to attend training sessions. Those handling younger and larger/more active dogs need more training
• Enjoy working with dogs and have suitable accommodation
• Perseverance to help support the training of the dogs
• Good communication skills

What will I get out of it?
• Increase in dog knowledge and welfare
• Opportunity to care for and have the companionship of a dog for evenings and weekends or for short periods of time
• The satisfaction that you are part of a committed team with a pivotal role in providing guide dogs that enable blind and partially-sighted people to enjoy the same freedom of movement as everyone else.

What support or training will I get?
• Regular and ongoing support and training from your supervisor
• Basic induction to Guide Dogs and to the role
• All food, veterinary costs and the provision of equipment

Will I need to do a CRB check? No

This role is managed by: Mobility Instructor/Trainer/ Puppy Training Supervisor

Minimum Age: 18

Please contact Rubina Shah at rubina.shah@guidedogs.org.uk