This year around 70 puppies will take their first steps on an exciting journey to become Dogs for the Disabled assistance dogs.
Here are some of our newest recruits…
Name: Noodle
Age: 2 months old
Breed: I’m a Golden Doodle
I was born in June and I’m a GoldenDoodle. That’s a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle in case you are wondering. I am living with a very nice puppy socialiser, Sara. She knows a lot about puppies like me as I am the 5th puppy that she has socialised with Dogs for the Disabled. I got to spend some time with the other dog that Sara has been socialising, a Curly Coated Retriever cross Golden Retriever called Finn. He has started formal training now so I get the dog basket all to myself these days.
Name: Bow
Age: 3 months old
Breed: I’m a Labrador.
I’m a very special puppy as my mum Sybil, is one of Dogs for the Disabled’s very own brood bitches. My five brothers and sisters and I all recently met our socialisers and I now live in Bristol. I get visits from my puppy coordinator Julia, all the time as she helps my socialiser with my training. I even get to wear a green ‘puppy in training’ jacket so that I get to go into public places and meet lots of nice people.
Name: Suzie
Age: 3 months old
Breed: I’m a Golden Retriever
I was born in May and when I was old enough I came to meet the puppy team at the Frances Hay Centre and they took me to my new home. I live with a very nice couple called John and Heather who give me lots of cuddles and delicious treats – especially when I have been a good girl. They take me for lots of lovely walks and when I’m playing with other dogs, John and Heather tell people all about me and that I am a Dogs for the Disabled puppy and one day I will hopefully be an assistance dog that will live with someone with physical disability or even a family with a child with autism.
Name: Barnie
Age: 3 months old.
Breed: I’m a Labrador.
My name is Barnie. I am one of Bow’s brothers but you might be wondering why Bow is yellow and I am black. It is possible to have both yellow and black puppies in a litter of Labradors, even if both parents are the same colour. I live with one of our new puppy socialisers Sharon. She hasn’t had a puppy before so I’ve been on my very best behaviour – although I did get a little over excited when I came to a puppy class at the Banbury training centre and got to play with lots of other puppies. I think we were a little noisy but I certainly tired myself out. I slept all afternoon but I woke up just in time for my favourite part of the day – dinner time.
When these pups are fully trained they will be able to do some very clever things. Find out what our assistance dogs can do
