Puppy raisers fundamental to Pilot Dogs training program

VIDEO By ERIN HOLL Monday July 28, 2014 12:31 PM

Pilot Dogs, a central Ohio nonprofit, has been serving the blind community for more than 60 years by providing guide dogs.

Pilot Dogs, whose headquarters is at 625 W. Town St., Columbus, has about 35 staff members who work at the main building and at kennels where the dogs are kept.

Toni Gray, puppy director for Pilot Dogs, is in charge of the training program. Pilot Dogs gets puppies for training from area breeders and has its own in-house breeding program, as well.

According to Gray, the dogs used for training are one of seven breeds: golden retriever, Doberman pinscher, Labrador retriever, Vizsla, poodle, German shepherd or boxer.

The group always is looking for puppy raisers, Gray said.

Puppies raisers have the job or preparing the dog for its life as a guide dog. The puppies, usually placed with raisers when they are 7 to 10 weeks old, are expected to be treated and taken care of as if they were a family pet.

Some exceptions apply, though. Gray said she wants raisers to have a crate for the pet and not allow the animals on furniture or beds. Raisers also attend obedience programs.

Pilot Dogs pays for all of the veterinary bills for the dogs and reimburses for approved obedience-training classes. Raisers are aksed to supply food for the dog.

Gray said Pilot Dogs also uses prisons to raise the dogs for the program.

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Puppy raisers fundamental to Pilot Dogs training program