Over the past 12 years, our family has raised 12 Future Leader Dogs — and 3 children. During that time, both our children and our puppies have grown, matured and set off on their own adventures, each having benefited from a strong foundation and thoughtful guidance. In many ways, puppy raising and parenting go hand in hand — or rather, hand in leash.
Welcoming a puppy into our home each year has taught us all invaluable life lessons: patience, perseverance, a strong work ethic and selflessness. Just like children, puppies thrive when they’re understood and supported with love and care. Our Future Leader Dogs are trained using positive reinforcement methods, and we’ve found that the same approach benefits children in profound ways. Research shows that positive reinforcement can improve a child’s attention span, memory, problem-solving abilities and language development. It’s also been linked to greater emotional resilience, stronger self-esteem and a higher level of confidence.
Of course, puppies are a lot of work! They require feeding, exercise, training and consistent “parking” (potty training). Every member of our family has contributed to that responsibility, fostering a team atmosphere where everyone plays a role and gains a sense of ownership and pride in the process. Our local school and community have also welcomed each Future Leader Dog, allowing us to spread awareness and education about the mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind.
By far, the most difficult part of raising as a family is saying goodbye at the end of each puppy’s journey with us. Still, I’ve found that children are incredibly resilient. The updates we receive about our dogs are a joy to share, and we all feel deeply connected to their continued success. Our family understands that we can’t love these puppies more than someone else needs them — and that knowledge makes it easier to let go. Watching them embark on their path with a client is incredibly rewarding, and we feel honored to be a part of that journey.
Written by Puppy Raiser Laura F.
