Guide dog puppies get unique training experience thanks to Warrington’s Own Buses

GUIDE dog puppies, and the volunteers who care for them, got a unique training experience, thanks to support from Warrington’s Own Buses.

The charity’s Puppy Raisers, who are all volunteers, look after puppies for their first year, teaching them basic commands and introducing them to different social environments, including public transport.

Familiarising itself with public transport is one of many things a young guide dog needs to learn, as in the future it may help a visually impaired person to get around safely. But meeting a bus for the first time can be quite scary for a puppy.
Adam Koceruk, a Puppy Development Advisor for Guide Dogs, said: “when our puppy raisers are out with their puppies and at bus stations or bus stops, the engine is running, it is loud, people are waiting to go; it’s not the ideal training scenario for young pups.
“Warrington’s Own Buses very kindly offered to let our pups and volunteers practice positive associations with all the noises of the bus, getting on and off, settling at a seat, and travelling. This unique training session gave everyone the opportunity to take their time, approach the bus at the puppy’s pace and make it a positive experience.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Warrington’s Own Buses for offering this special day for us.”

Puppy raiser and Councillor, Lawrence Sheridan, organised the day to help the puppies get bus experience without the pressures of doing it in real life. Also in attendance was both the MP for North and South Warrington, Charlotte Nichols MP and Sarah Hall MP respectively, as well as the Chief Executive of Warrington Council, Steven Broomhead.
Lawrence said: “As both a councillor and puppy raiser I was keen to bring together Warrington’s Own Buses and Guide Dogs. I saw this is a great opportunity for the young puppies to gain confidence in what can be an intimidating environment. This will be the start of a new partnership between Warrington’s Own Buses and Guide Dogs”.
Ben Wakerley, Managing Director of Warrington’s Own Buses said: “Our team didn’t need much encouragement to want to help the puppies and this amazing charity!”.
Guide Dogs is currently recruiting for more volunteer Puppy Raisers in Warrington. To find out more about this role, email [email protected] or visit guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer

Guide Dog Puppies