Fraser joins the Minivator team.
Associates at Minivator have successfully raised over £500.00 to sponsor a puppy for the registered charity Canine Partners. Canine Partners train dogs to help disabled people enjoy greater independence and a better quality of life. Once a dog is fully trained they are able to help their owners with everyday tasks including paying at a supermarket, getting cash from a cash dispenser and even taking washing from out of the washing machine!
Minivator’s sponsored dog is a chocolate brown Labrador puppy named Fraser. He was carefully selected by Canine Partners using specially developed aptitude tests, which help to identify potential assistance dogs. Essential qualities in an assistance dog include a gentle, co-operative nature, curiosity, a strong desire to be with people and a steady temperament.
Fraser is currently living with his ‘puppy parents’ and he will stay with them until he is about fourteen months old. Puppy parents are volunteers who not only care and look after puppies, but they also begin to teach the puppy how to socialise in every environment that they may later work in, for example in supermarkets and busy high streets.
Following this, Fraser will embark upon his advanced training. This lasts for between four and six months, and will involve him attending training classes everyday both at the Canine Partners training centre and also in public environments. Here he will learn to use his initiative and to respond quickly and reliably when he is called upon.
Before Fraser goes to live with his dedicated Canine Partner, he will attend a residential course where he will learn how best to work with his partner. After this he will be ready to move in with his partner and really start making a difference to their life.