I spent a day with a Guide Dogs Puppy Raiser volunteer to learn about the essential role

I've already visited Guide Dogs North East HQ in Newcastle, where I was able to try my hand at training the next generation of guide dogs.

But this time, I decided to go one step further in these professional pooches' journeys, and visit one of Guide Dogs volunteers who help raise the dogs from puppies.

Audrey Adamson, who lives in Washington, has been a puppy raiser since 2009, and current dog Ashby is her 11th pooch. The seven-month-old black Labrador came to Audrey in the summer, and the two have become close in the months since.

Audrey said: "I have been a puppy raiser since 2009, and I get the puppies when they are eight weeks old, and they stay with me until they are between 14 and 16 months. We help to teach them basic obedience, and get them settled in the home environment.

"We are asked to get the dogs out and about, so that they can experience lots of different things, and take them into as many different environments as we possibly can. We obviously also look after their wellbeing and their day to dare care."

After discussing what being a puppy raiser involves, Audrey introduced me to Ashby, and just as I was the last time I interacted with guide dogs, I was astounded by how well-behaved he was. It was clear just how much of a bond there is between Audrey and Ashby, and she shared some of the details of her time with him so far.

She continued: "We've had Ashby since he was eight weeks, and he's now seven months, and he's usually a very good little dog. However, we've just reached adolescence, the teenage stage, so he can be a little bit of a handful sometimes, but he's a joy really, as they all have been, so we work through it."

I saw no examples of this when Ashby was listening to Audrey's commands in the house, and playing with one of his favourite toys in a relaxed way. Then it was time to take Ashby out for a walk, so Audrey put his 'guide dog in training' harness on and we set off for a nearby green area.

During the walk, Ashby's behaviour was once again exemplary, not allowing himself to be distracted by people or vehicles, and crossing roads carefully by Audrey's side. When we got to the field, Ashby was then able to have a run around, getting a bit more playtime and a bit of exercise before we headed back.

When we returned, the conversation turned to the most difficult part of being a puppy raiser, having to give the dog back to Guide Dogs so that they can continue their training. Audrey was clearly emotional at this point, but she was able to share some insight into the feelings that come with this unique experience.

She said: "The hardest part is having to let the dogs go, as even though you know from the day you get them that they will have to go, the time when they are being taken away is really bittersweet. The puppy development advisor is the person who brings the puppy, but they're also the person who takes your dog at the end, and that can be really difficult.

"It doesn't matter how many you get, you still miss the one that's just gone, but I do it because I enjoy it and it's a lovely thing to do. You're helping to give somebody their life back and are playing a very small part in them getting their Independence back as well, and that's an amazing thing."

Before I left, I also had a chat with Shannon Butler, who is a local volunteering attraction coordinator with Guide Dogs, working between the Newcastle and Leeds offices. Speaking on the need for support, she said: "As well as the puppy raising, we are always looking for more people to help us by fundraising, which many of our volunteers to alongside their other roles.

"Volunteers like Audrey do so much for us, and they are able to be a part of a community with likeminded people. I always say that fundraising is the best option if you can't have a dog yourself, as it's not always feasible, because you still get that interaction with the dogs.

"Our fundraisers go everywhere for us, and they are our ambassadors and representatives, so I would encourage anyone that wants to get involved to do so. Fundraising is the most flexible option, and it is a good option for people with other commitments, so if this sounds like something you'd want to do, make sure you get in touch."

My visit to see Aubrey and Ashby, and learn more about the work of a puppy raiser volunteer, was both an enjoyable and informative one. I appreciate how open Audrey was about everything that comes with raising a puppy for this purpose, and she should be proud of how she has helped to change people's lives in the region.

If you are a dog person, like me, and are in a position to help Guide Dogs, whether it is by becoming a puppy raiser or through volunteering, I would strongly recommend it, as from what I have seen, you would be making a tangible difference in aid of visually impaired people in the North East.