The charity Guide Dogs is appealing to people in Dumfries and Galloway to give a home to a guide dog puppy for a year.
Volunteer puppy walkers care for the young dogs until they are between 12 and 15 months old and ready to join guide dog training school.
The charity will be holding an event in Dumfries on 2 May where locals can find out more.
Volunteering Consultant Susan Harrison said: “We are looking for volunteers in Dumfries, New Galloway, Newton Stewart, Kirkcudbright and nearby areas.
“Puppy walkers start our puppies on their journey to becoming fully-fledged guide dogs, teaching them basic obedience commands and making sure they are well socialised. This means volunteers need to be able to take their puppy into different environments, such as shops, cafes, busy areas and on public transport.
“The puppy will live with the volunteer full time, so they should be at home for the majority of the day and have a securely fenced garden.
“Puppy raising is hugely rewarding. Our volunteers feel very proud and emotional when they hear their puppy has qualified in a guide dog partnership and has changed the life of a person with sight loss.
“It’s also a very sociable role. Many of our existing volunteers comment on how it has brought lots of new people into their lives.”
The event takes place on Tuesday 2 May at
Dumfries Rugby Club, Park Farm, DG2 7LU, from 10.30am until 12.30pm. If you are unable to attend but wish to find out more about volunteering, please call Guide Dogs on 0345 143 0206 or visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteering.
