CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Since 2004, Linde DeCarlo of Willoughby has taken 13 puppies into her home and nurtured them, taught them basic skills, transported them to-and-from their veterinarian appointments, all in preparation for the next stage of the puppies' lives.
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DeCarlo is a volunteer 'puppy trainer' for the organization Leader Dogs for the Blind. Founded in 1939 by three Detroit-area Lions Club members, Leader Dogs provides guide dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired. Thanks to donations, volunteer puppy trainers such as DeCarlo, and those who volunteer in other capacities, the dogs are free to the recipients.
- How To Name A Guide Dog Puppy. Each guide dog school uses a different methodology for naming their guide dog puppies. At Guide Dogs of America the puppy raiser is given the opportunity to provide a puppy names based on a few simple rules: Guide Dogs of America assigns a letter to each litter.
- Join us and volunteer as a Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy raiser. As a puppy raiser, co-raiser, or puppy sitter, you can take an adorable puppy into your home. If you live near one of our many puppy raiser groups in select cities in seven states, join the fun—and our mission—and become a Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy raiser.
'Becoming a working Leader Dog is perhaps the most difficult career a service dog could achieve,' said DeCarlo. 'Complete training takes almost two years, and it begins with puppy raisers who provide the foundation.'
Training begins when the puppy is about seven weeks old, and the pup lives with its raiser for about one year. During that time the puppy trainer is responsible for the pooch's collars and leashes, crates, veterinary care, food, toys and more. Any dog owner knows that those expenses can take a serious bite out of one's budget.
To fund her work, DeCarlo and supporters host their annual 'Pasta for Puppies' all-you-can-eat pasta dinner. This year the dinner is 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the American-Croation Lodge, 34900 Lakeshore Blvd., Eastlake. Advance tickets ($15) are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. For tickets call 440-951-2468 or email LeaderDogPuppies@gmail.com.
According to the Leader Dogs for the Blind website, leaderdog.org, breeds brought into the program are strictly Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds or Labrador/Golden crosses. The organization provides the puppies, a majority of which come from its own breeding colony.
Southeastern Guide Dogs Puppy Raisers
The time that it takes to place a puppy with a new puppy trainer depends on the volume of puppy trainer applicants and the number of puppies available. Generally, the wait is six months for Labradors; nine months for Golden Retrievers or crossbreeds, and more than a year for German Shepherds.
Having raised or owned a puppy in the past is not a requirement to become a puppy trainer. The most important trait of puppy trainers is the dedication to provide daily care and consistency in the puppy's training. Puppy trainer applicants who are accepted receive a manual and instructional DVD, as well as puppy counselor.
To learn more about becoming a Leader Dog puppy trainer, go to leaderdog.org/volunteers/about-puppy-raising/puppy-raisers-FAQ.
Lake Humane Society's overcrowding dilemma: In 12 days nearly 70 neglected animals from three hoarding cases have come under the care of the Lake Humane Society in Mentor, according to Agent Leanne Pike. In total: 48 cats and kittens, 14 dogs and puppies, three birds, two ferrets and a guinea pig. 'As with most hoarding situations, these pets were living in deplorable conditions, many suffering from illness and more extreme medical conditions,' said Pike. 'LHS has nearly doubled its population in two weeks.' Anyone interested in making a donation can go to lakehumane.org or call 440-951-6122,
Easter tips: The Cleveland Animal Protective League passes along these ASPCA tips for keeping pets safe over Easter weekend:
- Keep chocolates out of reach. Chocolates can cause serious harm to pets.
- Clean up plastic Easter grass. The grass can get lodged in your pet's throat or digestive track, causing it to choke or vomit.
- Be aware of plants. Some bulbs can cause gastrointestinal upset. Cat owners should avoid lilies, which can cause severe toxicosis and acute kidney injury.
- Beware of plant fertilizer. Many fertilizers may contain herbicides or insecticides, which can cause muscle stiffness or soreness after eating, or in the worst cases tremors and seizures.
Low-cost sterilization in Greater Cleveland: Valley Save-A-Pet is extending its $40 spay/neuter program through the end of March. Cat or dog owners should call 440-232-2287 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Feral cat caretakers should call on Monday only.
Cat fundraiser in Cleveland: Lucky Paws Fundraiser, 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 19, Nautica Cafe at the FirstEnergy Powerhouse, 2000 Sycamore St. Tickets, $25, at luckypawsrescue.org/Fundraiser.html, 216-556-0811, or at the door.
Pet adoptions in Westlake: Cleveland APL dog and cat adoptions, Parent /Student Wellness Fair, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.
Pet fundraiser in Brooklyn: Betty's Birthday Party/Voices in the Dark fundraiser, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Dina's Pizza and Pub, 5701 Memphis Ave. Tickets ($25, $35 at the door) include all-you-can eat (including vegan and vegetarian options) and all you can drink. Betty is a dog that was in bad shape when she was rescued three years ago and became the impetus for Voices in the Dark. For tickets, go to voicesinthedarkanimalrescue.weebly.com/bettys-birthday-party, or call 844-586-4237.
TNR seminar in Akron:One of A Kind Pet Rescue Trap-Neuter-Return Seminar, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 1929 West Market St. Expert feral cat trapper Toby Franks of will demonstrate how to help feral cats by implementing the TNR program. The seminar is free and open to the public but donations to the One of a Kind Feral Fund are appreciated.
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Farm animal rescue in Akron: Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary's 'A Night of Hope and Inspiration,' 5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Todaro's Party Center, 1820 Akron Peninsula Road. This is the rescue's biggest fundraiser of the year. Animal-friendly (vegan) hors d'oeuvres by Todaro's master chefs; Chinese raffle with 100 prizes; silent auction; mystery grab bags and more. Tickets ($60, $100 to attend the VIP reception from 4 to 5 p.m., can be purchased online at happytrailsfarm.org or by calling 330-296-5914.