Posted by: Charity_Maness on 08/27/2010 03:37 PM
Updated by: thepinetree on 08/29/2010 07:20 PM
Expires: 01/01/2015 12:00 AM
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Sierra Guide Dogs, “Power of Partnering to Improve Quality of Life” ~By, Charity Maness
Guide Dogs for the Blind began in 1942 as a dream for two men Lois Merrihew and Don Donaldson who had a strong desire to “help wounded servicemen who would return from World War II without their sight.” Their firm belief that the full potential of dogs had yet to be tapped, believing they could serve as guides for the blind, they incorporated a school in a rented home in Los Gatos, California where they began training of their ‘students.’ The first dog to be trained was rescued from a Pasadena pound. She was “later paired with Sgt. Leonard Foulk, the first serviceman to graduate from the new school.”....
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Sierra Guide Dogs from Tuolomne and Calaveras Counties, established in 1995, graduates an average of 8 to 9 dogs per year, with a total graduation to date of approximately 112 guide dogs. That equals 112 blind people now able to live a more fulfilling life through the gift of a service guide dog. Guide dogs from California Guide Dog groups service nine western states and some persons from out of the country. The guide dogs graduating from Califonias intensive yet loving Guide Dog program are highly coveted and matched to a partner matching up specific needs and traits of both.
The first stage of the 18+ month guide dog program is what the Sierra Guide Dog group performs. After carefully inspecting a perspectives puppy raiser’s home for safety issues; pool coverage, poisonous plants, etc, a perspective puppy raiser attends three meetings and then babysits a current guide dog for 5 days prior to receiving their own puppy. After this introduction to guide dogs and all it entails, a raiser will receive their first puppy; an 8 week old bouncing, slobbering, fuzzy bundle of joy. This is where the fun begins.
Socialization is the cornerstone to this first stage in the guide dog training. Though manners and commands play an integral rule, the socialization aspect is very important to incorporate at a young age. The guide puppy from the day it is received until the day it graduates to the next level will spend every moment with its raiser. That includes work, school, dining out, shopping, concerts, travel, church, weddings and, yes, the restroom. One lucky puppy in the group can claim fame to a visit to the Grand Canyon at the young age of three months. Another danced with a bride at a wedding, and yet another enjoys his regular exciting rides on a speed boat (no skiing for the dog). While airline travel is not allowed at this stage, car travel is basic.
The group attending the August 26, 2010 meeting has raised at least 33 puppies; Jean-9, Kelsey and her mother Laura- 6, Ellen – 16, Kirsten -2. Most members tell of how they became involved through their children, by involvement in 4-H, FFA, or simply their child’s interest in the program. Now that most of the groups children are grown they continue with the program…happily.
While raising guide dogs is both rewarding and fun it can also have a positive effect on a youth puppy raiser’s future, ie: Ellen’s daughter applying for a highly coveted class within the medical profession was told at her interview that they chose her to attend the course because of her involvement with guide dogs, saying she was ‘just the kind of person the medical profession was looking for.’
Membership varies in the club with 7 dogs currently in training and one hopeful new member. Each puppy is raised from eight weeks through up to 16 months in the first phase, learning socialization, commands, and manners with a wide range of support and guidance for the raiser from within the Guide Dog program. From there the puppy heads to the next level of training for another 4 to 6 months where they learn from professional trainers how to deal with obstacles, hazards, and day to day life. From there the puppy now almost 2 years old is paired with his soon to be owner where they enter the final stage of training together. After the last stage there is a graduation ceremony for owner and dog alike.
If you are interested in possibly becoming a puppy raiser for Sierra Guide Dogs please contact John Magdaleno at 209-532-3288.
For more information regarding Guide Dogs visit their website at www.guidedogs.com.
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