Puppy caring for Vision Australia (VA) is the “best way to have a dog” according to Linda and Jeff Richardson.

The couple, who moved to Bairnsdale in January, have worked with Vision Australia for 11 years, and are up to their 12th and 13th charges, ‘Valley’ and little ‘Kora’.

“It’s like fostering kids, we know they’re not ours, and then we follow our dogs in their fabulous careers,” Mrs Richardson said.

VA supplies the dog food, vet bills and pet accommodation if carers need to go away.

“We have them for about 12 to 14 months then they have to go for formal training,” she said.

“It costs VA $50,000 per pup to train.”

Hence, if a VA puppy-intraining has their training harness on, you can’t pat them, but if they are harnessless they love nothing more than a good dose of human affection.

The Richardsons would like to gauge local interest in puppy caring so if you’re that way inclined, be at the Vision Australia barbecue on June 2 at Bunnings, where the Richardsons will allow kids - and adults - to pat and play with their beloved charges.

PICTURED: Volunteer puppy carers, Linda and Jeff Richardson, Valley, 10 months, and Kora, 8 weeks, are looking forward to raising money for Vision Australia and gauging interest in Vision Australia puppy carers in the district.