Volunteer spotlight: Charlotte

After researching the charity's work, watching videos and completing an online enquiry form that very evening, events moved quickly. A call from head office followed the next morning, a home visit soon after, confirmation of acceptance the next day and then, remarkably, a puppy arrived the morning after that! "It felt like it was meant to be," she says, though she is quick to add that the speed depended on puppy availability. 

The role was simple in principle but profound in impact: provide a loving home to an eight-week-old puppy until around 18 months of age, care for it as one of your own and follow a structured socialisation and training programme supported by a local Puppy Coordinator. Dogs for Good supply equipment, food, veterinary care and even arrange holiday boarding if needed. 

Now, 11 years later, they are socialising their seventh puppy. Looking back, Charlotte has no doubt that they did the right thing. "It's been the best thing we have ever done," she says.

Through the experience, they have built lasting friendships within the charity and their local community. They have visited places they never knew existed and done things they never imagined doing. Perhaps most importantly, their own wellbeing has flourished. "Our mental and physical health has improved beyond measure," she reflects. 

A typical day as a Puppy Socialiser begins early; there’s no staying in bed when a young puppy needs breakfast and a trip outside to the toilet. Walks vary depending on age and stage: short lead walks, off-lead free runs, longer outings to beaches or woods. Café stops are very common and offer excellent training opportunities for settling in public spaces. "Remember the coffee and cake?" she laughs. "It's become a bit of a theme."

Exposure is key. On other days, the puppy might visit a garden centre, supermarket, doctor's surgery, hairdresser, hospital, or even attempt a short bus or train ride. The aim, under guidance from your Dogs for Good coordinator, is to introduce the puppy to as many environments, sounds and experiences as possible. 

At this early stage, no one can say what career path the dog will ultimately follow. The puppy may one day support an adult or child with physical disabilities, assist a child with autism, help an adult living with dementia or someone having suffered from a stroke. "The more they see and hear now, the more confident and adaptable they become later," she explains.

Monthly puppy classes with Dogs for Good bring volunteer socialisers together to share successes and challenges. The sessions include health checks and practical training exercises such as loose lead walking, recall, distraction work, grooming and handling. And, fittingly, class always ends with coffee and cake! 

In addition to group classes, your Puppy Coordinator visits monthly for tailored one-to-one support. Milestones are plentiful and are often supervised; your first shop visit, first bus ride, first train journey to name a few. "You always come away knowing exactly what to work on next," she says. "You're never doing it alone."

While caring for the puppy is the clear priority, volunteers can also become involved in fundraising or awareness work if they wish. Charlotte has even spoken on local radio and television; something she never imagined doing. "I never thought I'd end up on air talking about assistance dogs, but I loved it." 

The question our Puppy Socialisers are asked most often is how they cope with giving the dogs up. Charlotte answers very honestly, "I won't pretend, it's tough. It's a really hard day but we always focus on the bigger picture. They're leaving us to do bigger and better things. It's a bit like your children going off to university."

The sadness is soon replaced with pride when news arrives that the dog has passed their training and has gone on to support either one person or a community group of people. Visiting the training centre to see a graduation demonstration is, she says, "absolutely priceless and hearing how a dog has transformed someone's life makes every goodbye worthwhile. Nothing beats that sense of pride," Charlotte adds. 

Without hesitation, she recommends the role. "I would recommend it in a heartbeat."

The seven puppies the Fryer family have socialised: Nita, Milly, Parker, Freya, Lola, Lexi and now Hazel have all supported the family through anxiety, depression, the challenges of the Covid pandemic, and Charlotte's husband's recovery from heart surgery. They have brought friendship, purpose and a deeper understanding of the life-changing impact of assistance dogs. 

"They've given us far more than we've given them," she says. "What's not to love?"