The first Leader Dog puppies of 2025 are here! Born on January 7th, this adorable litter of three puppies marks an exciting milestone for Leader Dogs for the Blind and the dedicated volunteers who help bring these dogs into the world. This year’s first litter comes from Leader Dog Mom Winnie and Leader Dog Dad Van Gogh. The puppies — temporarily named Piglet, Tigger and Kanga, by their breeding host family — have already begun to show their unique personalities, and their arrival is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the breeding host volunteers who help make all this possible.
In this post, we’ll take you behind the scenes to meet Colleen, a Leader Dog volunteer who stepped up to host Winnie and her newborn litter.
Meet Winnie’s Breeding Host Volunteer
Colleen’s journey with Leader Dog began a few years ago, after her daughter, Lili, developed a deep passion for animals. Lili dreamt of becoming a veterinarian from the time she was five. Their first exposure to Leader Dog was at a local fair, where Lili saw a volunteer with several puppies. Her immediate reaction was a plea to become a puppy raiser, even making a PowerPoint presentation to support her case, and after a year of research and preparation, the family joined the program.
In February of last year, Colleen’s family raised Leader Dog Willa, and the experience was so rewarding that when Willa returned for formal training, their home felt empty. That’s when they decided to take the next step — hosting a breeding stock dog. Colleen, a midwife, and Lili, with her veterinary aspirations, felt this role would be a perfect fit for their family.
The Birth of Winnie x Van Gogh’s Litter: A Story of Patience and Determination
Winnie, a first-time mother, was due to give birth to her puppies, and Colleen was ready to support her through the process. Winnie had only three puppies and they were given names in the Winnie the Pooh theme: Piglet (a female black Labrador wearing a pink collar), Tigger (male black Labrador wearing an orange collar) and Kanga (female black Labrador wearing a purple collar).
From the moment Winnie’s temperature dropped, indicating that labor could be on its way, Colleen, Lili and Lili’s best friend, Katy, were on high alert. As the day wore on, they monitored Winnie closely. By the evening, she began nesting and exhibiting signs of labor. Colleen, Lili and Katy took turns helping Winnie through the night, offering support and ensuring she was comfortable. As midnight approached, Winnie’s labor began to intensify, and Piglet was born at 1:45 a.m.
Thinking back on the moment Winnie became a mom, Colleen says, “This momma knew just what to do it was so beautiful to watch her instincts kick on!” A few hours later, the second puppy, Tigger joined the world.
While waiting for the last puppy to be born, Colleen consulted with the Leader Dog veterinary team, and it was decided to deliver the last puppy through c-section. At 7 a.m., once Winnie arrived at the Leader Dog veterinary clinic, the veterinary team worked quickly. And after a tense wait, Colleen received the call she’d been hoping for: both mom and puppy, Ka
nga, were doing great.
Colleen’s emotional reaction to the news was overwhelming. This journey—marked by a mix of exhaustion and ultimate joy — highlighted the emotional highs and lows that come with being a breeding host volunteer.
The Puppies’ Personalities Shine
Winnie’s puppies are thriving. Each one already has a distinctive personality:
- Piglet: The firstborn has always been the overachiever of the bunch. She’s ahead in weight, walking and even barking! Piglet is confident and curious, showing strong leadership qualities from day one.
- Tigger: The easygoing pup of the group, Tigger is calm and relaxed. He’s a little more laid-back than his sisters, but his quiet demeanor makes him incredibly lovable. Colleen has to keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesn’t get pushed off his spot at the milk bar!
- Kanga: The last to be born but is proving to be the most vocal, always making sure her presence is known. She’s a fighter and is quickly asserting herself.
Why Volunteering as a Breeding Host is So Rewarding
For Colleen and her family, hosting a Leader Dog mom has been an incredibly rewarding experience. “I also have a 10-year-old, and I cannot speak enough at how rewarding this experience has been for my kids,” Colleen shares. “They will remember this experience for the rest of their lives and that brings me incredible joy to see how enriched our lives are because of our ability to volunteer with Leader Dog.”
Volunteering with Leader Dog is more than just caring for puppies — it’s about giving back to a community that is making a huge difference in the lives of people who are blind or low vision. Colleen is proud to be part of this life-changing process and encourages others to get involved.
“For anyone considering volunteering as a breeding host, I say go for it,” she says. “It’s such an amazing, emotional journey and it’s something you’ll never forget.”
Join Us in Supporting the Next Generation of Leader Dogs
The arrival of Winnie x Van Gogh’s litter is just the beginning of an exciting year for Leader Dogs for the Blind. These little puppies will grow up to be trained as potential guide dogs, and with the support of volunteers like Colleen, they will eventually help individuals lead independent, fulfilling lives.
If you’re interested in learning more about the breeding host volunteer program or want to get involved with Leader Dogs for the Blind, don’t hesitate to reach out. By giving a small part of your time and care, you can make a huge impact on the lives of others.