Devon charity appeals for volunteers to help train future hero dogs

Devon-based charity, Veterans With Dogs, has issued an appeal for volunteers to become puppy socialisers, to help train future hero dogs for veterans with invisible injuries, such as PTSD.  

The charity trains and provides assistance dogs for current and former members of the British Armed Forces with service-related mental health conditions using its unique PALS (Partner Animals Life Skills) training programme. The training is a combination of home support and residential courses, with annual assessments thereafter to maintain the fully accredited assistance dog status.  

They not only change the lives of the veterans - in some cases, they save them too. 

Commenting on the appeal, Craig MacLellan, Chief Executive of Veterans With Dogs said: 

“Puppy socialisers play a very important role as they help to prepare our specially selected puppies for their future training, which will transform the life of a very deserving veteran. 

“Our socialisers are tasked with caring for a puppy’s well-being, including carrying out routine health checks, ensuring he is the correct weight, and grooming 

“Assistance dogs need to be able to travel and adjust to new surroundings and people. Taking a puppy to various locations and seeing different people and animals are part of the socialisation process that is so important for a future assistance dog. Our puppy socialisers are responsible for these early interactions and experiences, and whilst fun, itis an extremely important part of the whole learning our puppies need to go through.  

“Without our puppy socialisers we wouldn’t be able to train our assistance dogs who can help transform the lives of veterans with invisible injuries.” 

Typically, a puppy will be placed with a socialiser at aged seven to eight weeks old for roughly 12 to 18 months. For the first six months the focus is on providing routine and consistency, which is incredibly important to help the puppy develop in areas such as house training, learning to be left alone and basic behaviours. They spend time socialising the pup around lots of people and animals and visit as many different places as possible.  

From six months old the focus shifts to ‘real-life’ situations and environments. Ensuring the puppy comes back when called whilst walking in the park and helping him learn to settle in busy places such as cafes.   

Meeting and greeting people in a friendly, calm and controlled way is all part of the training that the puppies need to learn. When out in public with a Veterans With Dogs puppy, socialisers will be approached by many people. Fortunately, most people know to ask before petting or approaching the puppy. Once permission has been given, the puppy needs to be well behaved and under control. 

Throughout the process, socialisers are supported by the team at Veterans With Dogs be it through puppy training, over the phone or by email. Very importantly, all food, equipment and vets' bills are covered by the charity. 

If anyone is interested in becoming a puppy socialiser they can find out more at the Veterans With Dogs website.