SHARON Towe, 53, of Connells Point, has a serious case of puppy love.
She is a volunteer puppy-raiser for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Puppy-raisers introduce animals to the sights, sounds and smells they are likely to encounter as guide dogs.
Mrs Towe has been raising Keith, a Labrador for a year.
Keith was a seven-kilogram pup when he joined the Towe family.
He will assessed soon for suitability as a guide dog.
Guide dogs enhance the quality of life of people with blindness or impaired vision by helping to increase their independence through access and mobility.
It costs more than $35,000 and takes more than two years to breed, raise and train one guide dog.
Mrs Towe signed up to the program after she was retrenched.
She said she had always wanted to volunteer with animals.
Puppy raisers teach animals social skills and basic obedience.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT pays for all food and medication.
"Keith has been a textbook dog from day one," Mrs Towe said.
"I'll be that proud person when he graduates."
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will be promoting the role of puppy-raisers at the Sydney Dog Lovers Show on August 15 and 16 at the Horden Pavilion and the Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park.
The organisation relies on community and corporate donations to fund free services.
Details: guidedogs.com.au;dogloversshow.com.au