Saying goodbye as a puppy socialiser

For most people we talk to, the idea of volunteering to raise puppies for support dogs seems great… until it’s time to say goodbye.

Puppy socialisers will take in our very newest recruits from eight-week-old pups and get them ready for the world for the next 12-18 months. After this, it’s time for them to go to big school – full time training at the Support Dogs training centre to learn specific tasks that will transform the life of someone affected by Autism, Epilepsy, or Physical Disability.

But when you’ve spent the best part of 2 years with this little bundle of fluff, letting them go can be hard. We asked some of our most loyal puppy socialisers how they deal with their pups making their next steps.

It’s a part of life

“It’s like bringing kids up – they get to a certain age and they fly the nest”

Craig

Just like raising a child, the goal of raising a puppy is to prepare them for a happy and successful life. The time and love you invest in their development, from toilet training to socialisation, is all for this purpose.  It’s a natural and important step in their journey, a part of life's cycle, and it's what you've been working toward all along…

A better goodbye

“It’s so much easier to give up an 18-month-old pup knowing he’s going to work, than taking him to a vet’s for various horrible reasons”

Julie

If you’ve ever had a pet you probably know both the financial and emotional cost of that last vet visit. When you raise a puppy not only are all the vet bills paid for by Support Dogs but when they leave - it’s for a much nicer reason.

The puppy is leaving to change someone's life for the better. This is a much happier goodbye than watching a pet grow old, leaving you with a sense of pride rather than grief.

We’ll meet again

“We were invited to Support Dogs’ training centre when the client was there and Derek remembered us – it was brilliant.”

Ian

Your last goodbye is usually not the last. We work in a bustling training centre where dogs, service users, and trainers pop in and out on a regular basis. Often if a socialiser decides to raise another puppy, they’ll spot their old pals working hard at the training centre when they come in for puppy class.

Our volunteers are also invited to watch the puppies they raised graduate with their new partners. A lovely event to celebrate all the work that goes in to a support dog. A lot of our socialisers even stay in touch with their pup’s current foster carers or owners for years to come!

Ease out of it…

“To help get over it, we instantly had a holiday cover dog within about two weeks”

Craig

Once you’re a fully fledged socialiser you have the option to act as holiday cover meaning you’ll look after other dogs in training while their foster  carers are away. This will give you the opportunity to spend some time with a dog short term, after your pup has moved away. Easing out of having that furry presence in your life.

…and back in again

“As much as we are losing him, we are excited to get another puppy”

Julie

Despite the emotional farewells, one ray of hope is that puppy socialisers know it’s usually not long before the pitter patter of another set of tiny paws…

We are facing an overwhelming demand. We always need new puppies and the volunteers to help them grow. Once your little bundle of fluff has taken their next step, another one will soon fill their shoes, and chances are – you’ll be hooked as well!

Your turn!

Raising a puppy to be a life-changing and life-saving assistance dog isn’t easy but it is incredible! To learn more about becoming a puppy socialiser visit our volunteering pages or contact [email protected]