By Hannah Kelly

The Girl Scouts of America’s definition of the Gold Award is this: the gold award is the highest award in Girl Scouts. It focuses on 14 to 18 year-old Girl Scout's interests and personal journey through leadership skills, career explorations, self-improvement, and service.

  Solve communal issues and improve lives.   Recipients of the Girl Scout Gold Award are recognized by many state and local organizations   Creates assets for the community and the future.   College applications and scholarships   Helps the girl develop leadership and citizenship skills that will be useful throughout adulthood

As you know, I have been thinking quite a bit about the subject matter of this service project. Out of all the things that I researched, I became very passionate about one in particular. (OK I am going to confirm your fears) Yes, I have decided that the project that I want to peruse is… ***Drum Roll PLEASE*** RAISING A GUIDE DOG!!!

Okay, Okay! So I realize that there are some protests protruding from the paternal region of this family, but I am confident that I have solutions to all the obstacles that may arise throughout the course of this presentation. I ask of you only an open mind, because you might just find that “Houston has a problem”!

Before I even attempt to persuade further, I must address the obvious. RESPONSIBILTY! It is something that you as a parent have drilled into my head since I was young. And at the risk of sounding cocky, I must say that I believe myself to be fairly mature and responsible for my age. But in case you do not feel as confident as I do, I am willing to demonstrate my maturity and responsibility. How I do this can be determined by you, and whatever you see to be fit.

Now although “guide puppy raiser” may seem to be self explanatory, I have done my research and homework, and would like to explain a little more in depth. Technically I would be what is called a “Puppy Raiser” which is a volunteer who agree to welcome a future guide dog into their home.

The jobs of a puppy raiser can be divided into two basic components.  Learn Basic Obedience: Puppy raisers are responsible for teaching basic commands and correct behavior to the puppy  Experience the World: to introduce the puppy to all kinds of social situations. By taking the puppy to all environments, it prepares it for all sorts of circumstances that it could encounter as a working dog.

As I said before there are some objections to this service project (cause if there wasn’t there wouldn’t be a PowerPoint ). But I would like to respectively address the oppositions and provide solutions or compromises to them, in hopes that we stumble across some sort of common ground. (All of the information that I am collecting is from one particular program that in my research I decided was best for our circumstances.) Southeastern Guide Dogs

Southeastern Guide Dogs equips puppy raiser families with training materials and support. Puppy raisers agree to attend two meetings each month with local area coordinators who guide and mentor them, sharing the goal of raising a successful guide dog.

Southeastern Guide Dogs pays for veterinary medical care and provides monthly heartworm medication. Raisers are responsible for food, leash, collar, crate, toys, and flea/tick prevention. These expenses may be tax deductible. Also there are veterinarians that offer specific discount for this program. (there is a location in Houston that we would attend to receive this discount)

Puppies are ready to go to foster homes at about nine weeks. Puppies return for formal harness training anywhere from 14 to 20 months. After this initial phase with the puppy raiser, the puppy will be put through an intensive guide dog training, where its basic training will be tested as it prepares for life as a working dog.

Puppies' house training has begun, but most puppies are experiencing a mixture of success. But ultimately, this is one of the duties of the puppy raiser. The monthly classes that the raiser attends will help with this issue, if any problems arise.

the puppies have begun crate training in their early weeks. But they are still very young and may need special attention the first few nights home. The puppy should not be left alone for more then 2 hours at the home, and are not to be cooped up in the crate.

Each puppy in the program receives a blue "Puppy in Training" coat which enables puppy raisers to expose the future guide dog to a variety of public environments and situations. The coat also prepares the puppy for the sensation of a harness. This is a very important tool presented to the foster family, because it allows them freedom and not inhibit everyday life. But it is also critical to the puppy’s training because they must be extremely comfortable in all social situation to be successful.

There are puppy raiser groups throughout Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Virginia, and Tennessee. Once an application is submitted, the applicant is contacted by a local representative of the program.

Puppy raisers may act as goodwill ambassadors to promote public awareness and support for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Some puppy raisers choose to participate in fundraising events, give demonstrations, and speak at schools and public meetings to promote the important work of Southeastern Guide Dogs. With this stated, I plan to use this to aide my gold award. I would like to set up an awareness booth/event at a local special needs convention. I could actually bring my puppy and demonstrate the program first hand.

All puppy raisers must be 18 years of age or older or have an adult apply for them. If the potential raiser is under 18, they at least have to be over the age of 8. All puppy raisers must be 18 years of age or older or have an adult apply for them. If the potential raiser is under 18, they at least have to be over the age of 8.

Once they receive the application, Southeastern Guide Dogs will contact the nearest area coordinator who will invite the impending raiser to a group meeting. There the applicant be able to see firsthand what puppy raising is all about. Next, the area coordinator will conduct a home visit and submit a recommendation. Upon approval, they will place the raiser on our puppy waiting list. Wait time can vary, but typically a six-month wait or longer is expected.

Now don’t make a decision right away… Talk to your lovely wife, and caring mother Talk to your lovely wife, and caring mother

 (General Website)  (Specific to Puppy Raisers) ppy-raising ppy-raising **Copy and Paste into URL line to find websites**