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Corporate Donor Profile
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Carhartt, Inc.: Helping to Ensure the Safety of Leader Dog Instructors
- Published in: Update - Issue 3 - 2009
- Listen to Article
It was a cloudy spring afternoon in Rochester when Leader Dog Instructor Melissa was out working with a student/dog team. She heard the speeding car before she even saw it. In a split second Melissa made a decision that may have saved her student's life, even though she put her own in danger. She jumped between the student and the car, pushing the student to safety and getting hit by the car herself.
Instructor Wendy Eichler teaches “traffic checking” to a Leader Dog in training. Traffic checking is when a dog stops during a street crossing because a car is coming near.
The student and dog were not injured and Melissa was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and required time to recuperate. Unfortunately, incidents such as this happen to instructors who spend their days outdoors helping students learn to work with their dog guides. Just about every trainer has at least one 'close-call' story.
Upon hearing Melissa's story, a generous donor came forward to donate bright reflective vests for trainers to wear while working in the field with students. Carhartt, Inc. did not hesitate when asked for help. “Our family has supported Leader Dog in the past and when we heard about their need for high-visibility outerwear for their trainers, it just seemed like a great chance to help,” said Carhartt, Inc. President Mark Valade.
Since Leader Dog trainers have been wearing the vests, there have been no incidents such as Melissa's and everyone feels a bit safer. “In my 27 years at Leader Dog, I've had plenty of close calls with cars,” said Keith McGregor, deaf-blind program instructor. “The vests from Carhartt are awesome. They are comfortable and they allow drivers to see us from a much further distance. I feel much safer wearing my vest.”
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