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With the Petbarn Foundation Seeing Eye Dog Appeal 2018 now in full swing, we wanted to take a moment to look into the life of one of our seasoned puppy carers. Gaylene Ryan, currently looking after her fifth puppy for Seeing Eye Dogs, talked with us and shared her experience as a puppy carer.
As the manager of a Petbarn store in the Thomastown area, Gaylene knows her fair share about animals and animal upbringing. Five years ago she made the decision with her husband to look into puppy caring for Seeing Eye Dogs after they had decided that they wanted a pet. After they got approval, the first puppy to be placed in their care, Lana, gave them quite a shock
“We were absolutely terrified when we got Lana. Not for any valid reason. It’s the responsibility that hit us. We’re responsible for this puppy that is now ours, yet also not ours because we know it will go on to help someone that truly needs it.”
That intimidation quickly waned when they realized that training Lana, although sometimes challenging, offered its own rewards.
“You get frequent licks, cuddles, all that good stuff. When you have a puppy, you get all the love that a young pup brings with it. They’re happy to see anyone and like to express that. Of course you have to control that behavior, but when it’s okay for them to do it, it’s lovely.”
Every pup that Gaylene has cared for has left a lasting impression on her. She has stories of each and every one. Her most recent, Gerry, has basically grown up alongside her grandson,
“It’s interesting. Wherever my grandson goes, Gerry has to follow and keep an eye on him. I’m not sure what forged this bond, but it is very cute to watch. I love seeing them together.”
Working in a pet store carries its own series of challenges, given that when you are puppy caring, your ward has to stay with you at all times. Ivan, Gaylene’s fourth dog, certainly had a flair for having a fun time. “I was putting out some new dog beds onto the store floor when I suddenly got pulled away by a customer. I turned away for just a few seconds only to then see him sleeping soundly on one of the new beds.” This rest must have done him good, as he went on to graduate as a fully-fledged working Seeing Eye Dog who now affords independence to a person who is blind or has low-vision.
The big issue with puppy caring, according to most people, is the fact that once your portion of the caring is done, you give the puppy back to Seeing Eye Dogs to complete its formal training. “It is hard. The caring, the love, that’s the easy part. You just have to really understand that you’re helping someone who really needs it by giving the puppy back. You know that that dog is going to make an incredible difference in the life of someone who is blind or has low vision.”
Gaylene is currently preparing to take Gerry back to Seeing Eye Dogs for his formal training, and despite having done it five times already, she says it doesn’t get any easier, but that she thinks it’s a worthwhile cause.
“I would recommend anyone to give it a go, even as a foster carer if you can’t do it full time. Knowing the difference you’ve made supersedes any sadness, because you know you helped make it all possible.”
Our wonderful partnerships with The Petbarn Foundation, Petbarn stores, Greencross Vets, City Farmers and Royal Canin are what has made the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal a possibility since its launch in 2014. Last year alone we were able to raise $679,000. That may seem a lot of money, but it takes $50,000 to train just one Seeing Eye Dog. It is an ongoing process, one that can only continue with the support of our partners and our community.
Until June 11th, whenever you make a purchase at a Petbarn or City Farmers store or a Greencross Vets, you will have the opportunity to donate to the Seeing Eye Dog Appeal. Alternately, you can visit https://www.petbarn.com.au/services/pet-foundation#donate to make a direct donation online.