The program, which is run by Assistance Dogs Australia, wants local families to raise them they're 18 months and taking them to puppy classes.

Picton resident Katie Saran will run the classes in Picton and is looking for local families to take part. She says the pups will be trained to pick things off the ground, open and close fridge doors and help people take off shoes and socks.

Ms Saran said these pups had a different training from that of Guide Dogs.

She said they were to bark warnings if their owners were in trouble or had, for example, fallen over.

Once trained, the pups will have full public access to accompany their owners on daily outings.

The program also trains puppies to become companion dogs for children with disabilities.

Puppy raising co-ordinator Megan Barnes said people who wanted to raise a puppy had be at least 18 years old.

``There needs to be someone home most of the time through the day or someone in the family who can take the puppy to work with it,'' she said. ``The pups also need a securely fenced yard, including pools, and puppy-raisers must go to regular classes.''

Details: 95483355 or www.assistancedogs.org.au.