| Last updated on February 8, 2008 |
GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND is dedicated to enriching the lives of blind and visually impaired men and women by providing them with the freedom to travel safely, thereby assuring greater independence, dignity and new horizons of opportunity.
Description:
Our Guiding Eyes Dogs
Bred to possess superior confidence and strength, raised and trained with patience and affection, a Guiding Eyes dog is specially created for its higher calling. Recognizing this, we are committed to assuring a lifetime of well-being for every one of our dogs. Educating the sighted public about guide dog usage is an important part of this commitment.
Our Puppy Raisers
The heart and soul of Guiding Eyes is the generosity and selflessness of our puppy raising families. Without their extraordinary dedication, our program would not exist. As a result of their unique relationship with the puppies they raise, they share a very special common bond with our graduates.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers are truly the unsung heroes of Guiding Eyes. They give so much of themselves without seeking recognition. Their dedication and tireless support, for which we can never show enough gratitude, is a profound gift to our students and graduates.
The Southern, Central and South Western Connecticut Puppy raising regions of Guiding Eyes for the Blind are looking for Puppy raisers to open their hearts and homes to a future guide dog puppy. You can HELP CHANGE A BLIND PERSON'S LIFE FOREVER! For someone like you who appreciates the special qualities of dogs, there is a wonderful opportunity to make an incredible difference in the life of a blind person by raising a puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Raisers teach puppies socialization, house manners and basic obedience. Guiding Eyes provides extensive support to Puppy Raisers through local classes, and provides all veterinary care FREE of charge. To become a Puppy Raiser and help bring mobility and independence to the blind and visually impaired, Contact the Canine Development Center at: (845) 878-3330 or 1-866 GEB LABS (1-866 432 5227) or visit Guiding Eyes for the Blind Puppy Raising for more information about our Puppy Raising Program.
Skills
A love of dogs is required! No previous dog experience is necessary! FREE local classes will teach Dog handling and socialization skills as well as basic dog obedience. The classes are held in Patterson, Middletown, Wallingford, Clinton, Westport, Woodbury areas.
History:
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center is an exciting place, where the first steps are taken toward producing a successful guide dog team: breeding, birthing, socializing, screening and placing high- potential puppies in loving, nurturing puppy raising homes.
The puppies are bred to maximize the qualities required in a working guide dog and minimize any health problems that would disrupt or shorten a guide dog's working years.
These are very special puppies - the result of many generations of selective breeding. Approximately half of the puppies go on to be working guide dogs. However, every pup is valued and goes on to find his or her place in the world; as a guide dog or another type of service dog, or as a loving pet in a carefully screened home.
The Canine Development Center is a wonderful place for dog lovers but, beyond that, a place where your efforts go toward producing one-half of a working guide team, giving the human member of the team a more independent life and devoted companion.
Contact people:
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Linda Damato, Regional Marketing Manager, (845) 230-6405, (email)
Vikki Iwanicki, Program Manager, (845) 230-6412, (email) |
Office fax number: (845) 878-3749
Address:
Web Site: http://www.cdc.guidingeyes.org
Directions:
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NY Rte. 22 North
I-684 becomes NY Rte 22 at Brewster. Travel approximately 5 miles north into the township of Patterson. As you descend a long hill with four lanes, watch for a rather inconspicuously marked NY Rte 164 intersection. . . (more) |
Volunteer Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience 
Outstanding volunteer opportunities with excellent training for a highly professional organization with an outstanding group of employees and other volunteers.
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My husband and I volunteer as puppy home socializers. We bring two pups home for a few days at a time to help acclimate them to new experiences. We also are "Ambassadors" for the Guiding Eyes representing them at public events and in business settings. And, from time to time we use other personal skills for needs as they arise.
We enjoy our work tremendously. It is fun to work with the dogs and highly satisfying to know that we are a small part of helping a visually impaired person lead an easier life. Our work is much appreciated by the Guiding Eyes staff who are extremely professional, highly skilled and fun to work with.
posted by suzq on February 8, 2007 |
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