Lara Hanson & Arrow: A Puppy Raiser Story

Volunteer Lara Hanson shares here experience raising her first GDD puppy- a female black lab named Arrow. Her story shows that while the puppy raising journey makes an impact on our pups, our volunteers grow and learn throughout the process too.

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I started working in the puppy den as a volunteer in 2023. I had been interested in participating in the Guide Dogs of the Desert after hearing about this organization. I grew up having dogs in my parent’s home and yet as an adult I never had one of my own. I’ve always loved dogs and in college days I would house sit care for people’s pets while they were on vacation. It was somewhat unexpected to become a puppy raiser in my situation. I happened to have the opportunity one day while I was on campus. I asked about a black labrador I saw behind the staff desk and was told she needed someone to be a “finisher puppy raiser”. Arrow was friendly as she locked eyes on me and wiggled her tail. I asked to take her on a walk. In hindsight this may have been my subconscious thinking, like taking a car on a test drive and just to entertain the mere question of what if “I took this home?”. I quickly began to think about this and after making a call home to discuss this more seriously I decided to fill out the application paperwork, send in photos of the home and yard to start the formal process required. I was excited and anxious at the same time. I remember informing GDD staff I wanted to be sure of my decision and to not just be emotionally based. I wanted to have the rational perspective over night and would verify in 24 hours. Of course, that afternoon I shopped for a few toys and dog bed to help me make a “rational” decision. I ultimately felt right about the decision to make a difference for someone else while affirming my contribution and time in connection with GDD.

Before this I never had any formal training with dogs. I looked forward to participating in classes on campus and through zoom. The organized outings/events were great to build new connections and relationships with other raisers in sharing ideas and experiences. I remember feeling new and awkward to my first few trainings. I read and re-read the puppy raiser manual to try to absorb all the information myself. In time, I began to build my confidence and apply the knowledge and skills I had to train Arrow. In zoom classes I could update on progress as well as share any problems to get help and advice from trainers and other raisers. I also realized I was not alone when in these shared group experiences and benefited from participating frequently. This was also a community to share questions about health or medical related issues that were informative and helpful. I remember initially thinking “Can I?” and “Can she?” as I started to build our pup-raiser connection. Then in time our bond, trust and growth allowed for my thought to become “I can.” and “She can.” and ultimately “We Can.” It was part of the journey to let this unfold in time.In this experience I learned more about how my role to be able to do the best I could and allow for the natural development for this unique dog to also be part of the process. Not always were the gains and strides on a steady incline. Somedays my contribution was to be patient, slow, understanding and calm even if I was motivated and she was not. What was unfamiliar at first became part of my new norm and our routine for her basic daily care; awakening from her crate, feeding times, to “get busy” (time for dog poop), her as a shadow always around and behind me.

I have came to realize there are incremental gains in the course of time that become large milestones for raising a puppy. The ability to give basic obedience training and incorporate the exposure experiences are essential for developmental progress. In addition building the bond and trust with a dog as well as understanding their temperament and behavior a raiser contributes to their thriving. While being a raiser there were times I changed aspects of my life for my time and responsibility to raise her and then ultimately she too with her time changed parts of my life. The fun, smiling and laughing moments shared are precious memories I reflect on. All the photos and videos on my phone are delightful to recall her sounds, behaviors and places our relationship created and filled my heart with joy. There is no escaping giving your love to a dog and somehow gaining more love back than you ever expected as a raiser.

When the time came for her to go to IFT I knew it would be hard emotionally and also a reality of what this process and my role was as time limited. I had hopes and dreams of where she could go in her Iife. I also did not have control of what her path would be at this point either. I realized I did not have the specialized training that she was ready for. So I found myself to be like a cheerleader rooting for Arrow and on the sidelines while she was in the “game” and doing her work. In letting go when IFT day came I became more excited for what was yet to be for her. I anticipated a bigger journey for what her role of service would be. I was able to get updates from GDD trainers periodically to let me know of her progress.

Graduation day arrived for the celebration of her officially to become a Guide Dog with her handler. On this day I was able to see how the many people and events over time were vital for her to reach this accomplishment. As Arrow had grown physically and matured over this course of time she became a bigger gift to change another person’s life. For me, to know she has a unique ability and purpose to guide another person to have an enriched life with her at their side is the full circle outcome for me. I know a part of me is with Arrow and always with her handler too!

What I think is good to know for someone who is considering to be a puppy raiser is to know there is value in having the desire and willingness to make a difference. It feels like a gift to be able to take in a dog to your home and your heart and believe that this does become an even bigger gift to change the life for another person. I now know as time has passed, I was a part of this and feel honored to have been able to experience