Today is a culminating day for puppy raisers. It is one of the days they call IFT, which stands for In For Training. That means that certain puppy raisers got a letter about a month, month and half ago that told them to prepare to bring the puppy they had been raising for the last 12-15 months, back to Southeastern Guide Dogs so that they could begin their final phase of their journey to becoming a guide dog: Guide Dog University.
Now they would be matched with a certified trainer and begin formal harness training. They would be taken out into the field and trained, tested and trained and tested again and again. But first, the puppy raiser has to give his or her puppy up. After all, it's in the job description. It's what we do.
Stephanie has been raising Coastie for a little over 15 months. The City of Clearwater sponsored Coastie and Stephanie and the handsome yellow boy have been fixtures at City events over the last year. They even had a farewell party for him this week to wish him luck in his studies at Guide Dog U.
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Photo of puppy raiser Stephanie and Coastie. Photo by Southeastern Guide Dogs. To see more about this event go to the album Guide Dog University.
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Stephanie is also taking on a new role with our group. While she has been an excellent puppy raiser, as the amazing Coastie is living proof, her next role with Southeastern will be as Area Coordinator for our Central Pinellas group, since our group split in two as of June 1st.
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| Photo of the Central's Area Coordinator Stephanie saying goodbye one last time to Coastie. Photo by Southeastern Guide Dogs. To see more about this event go to the album Guide Dog University. |
Just as we know that Coastie will be giving it his all as a guide dog in training at Guide Dog U and making us all proud, we also know that Stephanie will be an amazing AC. As hard as it is to send your puppy back, Stephanie, know that we are all there for you, wishing you the best and here to help you on your new journey.
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