Tracey Fullerton, who works with the Service Improvement Support team at Clackmannanshire & Stirling HSCP, recently said goodbye to Lake, the guide dog puppy who had shared her home for the last year. Although it was an emotional farewell, Tracey knows Lake is on an important journey to become a guide dog for someone with sight loss.
Tracey and her husband Chas began their journey as volunteer puppy raisers after learning about the long waiting lists for guide dogs. The wait for someone to receive their first guide dog can be up to four years, and the couple saw an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. After contacting Guide Dogs Scotland, they were paired with Lake in late 2023.
During their time with Lake, Tracey and Chas focused on socialising and teaching basic commands, introducing Lake to various experiences that would help her when partnered with someone with sight loss. Tracey shared: “The best thing is knowing you’re making a difference. Lake has such a joyful personality, and I’m so happy for the person who will be lucky to have her in their life.”
Over the last year, the couple took Lake on numerous adventures to expose her to different environments. They visited the Helix, went on a camper van trip to Tiree, explored Stirling Castle, and even took her to the cinema, where the staff appreciated Lake’s training. Tracey also took Lake to her work and on trips to local supermarkets and party stores to help her adapt to busy environments.
Puppy raisers like Tracey and Chas are essential to the guide dog training process. Their job is not to train the dogs to be fully qualified guide dogs but to introduce them to the world around them and teach them basic skills. Tracey emphasised the support she received from Guide Dogs Scotland, noting the guidance and training videos, as well as the dedicated puppy development advisor who assisted along the way.
“Puppy raising gives you a huge sense of purpose. It’s the most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve ever done,” Tracey said. “I feel immense pride in watching the pups progress and overcome challenges.”
As Lake moves on to her formal training at Guide Dogs Scotland’s Forfar centre, Tracey is already beginning her next adventure with new puppy, Charlotte, who is following in Lake’s ‘paw steps’. Tracey is keen to encourage others to consider becoming a volunteer puppy raiser, sharing, “There’s a lovely community of people who want all the dogs to succeed, and everyone is always happy to help.”
Guide Dogs Scotland is currently looking for more volunteers. The charity relies on volunteer puppy raisers to provide the foundations for every guide dog partnership, with all costs covered for the puppies. If you’re interested in becoming a puppy raiser, find out more at Guide Dogs Scotland.
