Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is appealing for volunteers to become puppy raisers, to help them to become guide and assistance dogs.
The charity provides training and ongoing support to each puppy raiser, and all veterinary fees and feeding costs are covered by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, it said.
Equipment such as crates and leads, are also provided, as well as care for the pup when a puppy raiser goes on holiday.
Ambassador for the charity, Ireland and Munster fly-half Jack Crowley, said raising a puppy helps to change someone's life.
His family has raised many pups who went on to become guide and assistance dogs.
"Puppy raising was part of family life growing up," he said.
"We all got involved, helping each pup to socialise, learn the basics of obedience, and experience everyday activities such as traveling on buses, trains, and even going to some of my games.
"It's a huge commitment, but we knew that every time a pup left to start formal training, we had given it a significant start in its journey to changing someone’s life.
"Every time I visit the centre now, I’m tempted to sign up again."
Puppy raising can fit in with most people's everyday lives, puppy raising supervisor Shereen Pearson said.
"Anyone can apply. Retired people and families with children generally make good puppy raisers, but many combine their role by bringing their pup to the office a couple of days a week, attending appointments, and visiting family and friends.
"The important thing is that the person is able to spend time caring for and teaching the puppy."
'A guide dog is the greatest gift' - Paralympian cyclist
Having a guide dog can give the unique gift of independence, Irish Paralympian cyclist Martin Gordon has said.
Mr Gordon, who is blind, represented Ireland in tandem Para-cycling in the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
On RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "A guide dog gives you the greatest gift you can ever have, and that's independence and nobody and nothing, and no prize can can give you that.
"The greatest gift that my guide dog gives me is every morning walking my daughter to school and collecting her in the evening.
"Without my guide dog I wouldn't be able to do that and that for me is, of everything else I do, that's the greatest thing I get to do with my dog."
Mr Gordon finds it difficult to talk about the retirement of his dog, Juno.
"Anytime people ask me is Juno near retirement, I just say I can't go there. I can't talk about it ... because it's difficult to give up this beautiful dog you've had in your home for a year and it's so difficult when your dog retires.
"But the gift that the puppy raisers give to that end-user, that person using the guide or assistance dog, is life-changing".
Requirements to becoming a puppy raisers include:
- There should be no more than two dogs in the home. All dogs should be over 12 months old, neutered/spayed, up to date on all vaccinations, and well-behaved around other dogs.
- The puppy must not be left alone for more than four hours.
- You have a fully enclosed garden with walls or fences minimum 1.52m (5ft) high.
- Puppy will live inside, day and night.
- Children in the home must be over five years of age.
- You must be 18 years or older, but the whole family can get involved.
Free webinars are conducted regularly by the charity and more information is available here.
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