My name is Anne Mulligan and I am a Puppy Raiser for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. I also volunteer with the local Balbriggan/North Co Dublin branch. I’ve been a Puppy Raiser since March 2011 and have taken care of a number of puppies. In no particular order I have looked after Zack, Cinders, Gabby, Oscar, William, Genna, Zabbie and Coby. All were Labradors except Oscar who was a Retriever. Zabbie was part of the breeding programme and Mother to the “G” litter. All pups born are named using a letter from the alphabet. Cinders, Gabby, Oscar and Genna all qualified as Assistance Dogs. Unfortunately, not all pups make the grade required to become a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog. In such cases they can become a Companion Dog or an Ambassador Dog or sometimes be rehomed as a pet. Zack, William and Coby are all happily settled in home environments.My current pup is Yarrow, a golden Lab/Retriever who arrived late November 2019 when he was 8 weeks old. My role has been to help Yarrow become well-mannered and socialised. The early training team from Cork provided support throughout the time Yarrow has been with me. All veterinary fees and feeding costs are covered by IGDB. Now at 14 months old Yarrow will shortly go to Cork for his formal training where he will hopefully become a Guide Dog or Assistance Dog. I will miss Yarrow but I know that he has the potential to change the life of a person who is visually impaired or the life of a family of a child with autism. I will follow Yarrow’s progress in Cork with interest.I have something to look forward to in 2021 as I am on the waiting list for another puppy once Yarrow leaves. If you are interested in becoming a puppy raiser Contact us by text or phone 085 7663107. Email GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com