All go for Alison on puppy patrol

May 21 2008 By Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

HER full-time job is to look after a dog.

But for Alison Thorburn, this is a far tougher shift than sitting behind any desk from nine to five.

The Alloway mum is training one of Scotland’s smartest puppies to work with the blind.

And she says her days are action-packed trying to keep nine-month-old Jack, a retriever/lab cross, under control.

Alison, 49, laughed: “He’s like a toddler and wants to play all the time, so I’m kept on my toes.

“The commitment involved with looking after him is huge and I can’t leave his side.

“This is my job now and it’s my complete focus. I’ve also got three dogs of my own so I’m more than busy.”

Alison is part of a puppy walking network who take dogs from the tender age of six weeks and train them to the highest standard of intelligence.

And when they hit their first birthday, puppy walkers like Alison must return their dogs in preparation for specialist training for the working world.

She admitted: “It will be a strange experience and this is my first time of being a puppy walker so I’m not sure how I’ll react.

“But I think I’ll be okay. Funnily enough, my husband and son will probably have more of an issue with Jack going back than I will.

“You’re told at the start that the dog is not yours to keep and I can still go and visit Jack, so I’ll just be happy that I’ve helped him on his way.”

A spokesperson for Scotland’s guide dog training school said: “Puppy walkers provide an invaluable contribution in preparing puppies for a life as a working guide dog; teaching them basic obedience, and getting them used to a home environment, the bustle of towns, and public transport etc.

“Puppy walking can be challenging, but also very rewarding — our puppy walkers know they have helped us to provide independent mobility, in the shape of a guide dog, to a blind or partially-sighted person.

“Most guide dog owners will tell you that when it comes to mobility aids, these highly-trained and sensitive animals are second to none.”

To find out more about becoming a puppy walker, call Guide Dogs on 0845 371 7771or email volunteer@guidedogs.org.uk

You can also visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/puppywalking