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Month: October 2018

A young yellow Labrador puppy sits in a metal bucket with its mouth open as though smiling

By Emma Jo Haden, Breeding Stock Host

As a little girl, I was fascinated by a guide dog donation statue that sat in the front of the store where my Nanna worked. It had a real leather harness, and I would beg my mother for coins to put in the little coin slot. My parents would buy calendars and Christmas cards to support charitable fundraising, and as I grew, so did both my love for animals and my desire to make a difference in the world.

Many years later, living on the other side of the world with a family of my own, I saw a tiny advertisement in a local newspaper for host families for breeding stock dogs for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Within 24 hours I had emailed the contact point, filled out any paperwork I could find, and practically written a cover letter to Leader Dogs expressing why they should consider my family! Very soon after, we welcomed Harmony, a gorgeous sweetheart of a yellow Labrador retriever into our home. Hosting a breeding stock Mama for Leader Dogs has been so rewarding for our family, and although the benefits are countless, here are what we consider the five best things about hosting a Leader Dog Mom, in no particular order.

  1. Working with Leader Dog! Leader Dog has been a pleasure to work with in every way from day one. Every expectation involved in hosting was explained in detail, and a manual was provided that covered everything from the care of the breeding mom, to the whelping experience and detailed care of the puppies from birth to seven weeks. Supports are in place in the form of access to a mentor as well as a veterinarian on call. Every single interaction with Leader Dog has shown them to be helpful, encouraging and reassuring in every sense of the word.
  2. The breeding mom! Harmony was bred through the Leader Dog program with a wonderful pedigree and is a perfect specimen for breeding both physically and behaviorally. She spent a year training with a puppy raiser before she was selected for breeding. More than that though, Leader Dog matched her with our family to ensure a good fit, and we could not be more in love with her beautiful personality. We can’t imagine life without her!
  3. The puppies! From the experience of witnessing the miracle of birth, to watching the puppies grow, ever so quickly, from tiny little helpless beings to big, strong, playful and smart little puppy dogs, we have loved every second of every snuggle and puppy kiss and the joy of their little waggy tails as they welcome our appearance at any time of day or night. Seriously, what could be sweeter?
  4. The people! If you’re even reading this, it’s quite probable that you are a dog person. In hosting a Leader Dog Mom, we have met many amazing, kind and generous volunteers who host breeding moms and dads, puppy raise, fundraise and more. We are so thankful to be a part of this group of dog people, who don’t just love dogs, but also love touching lives through their work.
  5. The lives we touch! So far, Harmony has provided Leader Dog with 15 beautiful, healthy, smart little puppies. Each puppy will touch countless lives even as they grow and learn. When they return to Leader Dog for intensive training, if successful, they will be matched with a client, providing a person with visual impairment access to life-changing freedom and independence. Some puppies may be selected for breeding, or alternative careers such as sniffer dogs or therapy dogs. Harmony herself may work in therapy when her breeding days are over.

Who knew, all those years ago, that one little charity collection would influence my life so greatly. Being involved in hosting a Leader Dog mom has enriched my life and made it possible for my family and me to make a positive impact in the world. I am thankful every day for this amazing experience, and I look forward to many years of association with this wonderful organization, Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Gretchen Preston sits smiling at the camera with her left arm around her Leader Dog, black Labrador Floyd, who is wearing a leather Leader Dog harness

By Gretchen Preston, Leader Dog Handler

Cold, wind, rain or snow may force an occasional “inside” day. Excessive heat, high humidity or just having a busy day may restrict your Leader Dog’s daily exercise routine. Leader Dog client Gretchen Preston talks tips and strategies to keep you and your Leader Dog active both outside and inside on severe weather days. Try one of these exercise tips or invent your own!

BACK TO BASICS: Work your dog in the down, sit and stay commands. When your dog has mastered the “stay” command, you are ready to play “Hide and Seek.” This game is a great way to tune-up your Leader Dog’s “stay” and “come “commands. Reward your dog with high, happy tones or a small treat when he or she finds you. Make the game more challenging by increasing the amount of time your dog is in the “stay” position and increasing the difficulty of your hiding place.

INDOOR OBSTACLE COURSE: Work your Leader Dog in-harness in your house or apartment. Set up an indoor obstacle course by moving furniture and creating obstacles to navigate. Then, the real fun can begin. Take off the leash and use only the harness and your voice and hand commands to assist your Leader Dog in navigating the obstacle course. Once you have mastered harness-only guiding, take off the harness, leaving only the collar on your dog. Place your hand gently between your dog’s shoulder blades. Use your voice and hand commands to assist your dog in navigating your obstacle course with your hand only on him/her. Then, change the obstacles, or do it in reverse. I have trained my Leader Dog to work without his leash, harness and even without his collar. This “naked” guiding could prove to be useful if there was a fire or another emergency where you had to leave in a hurry or your harness or leash were not available.

BONDING ACTIVITIES: Use inside days to do extra grooming, practice your T-Touch massage techniques, or just play with your dog. These activities will help develop intimacy, trust and love between you and your dog.

TAKE THE STAIRS: Both inside and outdoor steps have great exercise potential. Find the nearest staircase. Stairwells in high-rise apartments, commercial or office buildings can add an extra challenge. If you and your dog get bored walking up and down flights of stairs, kick it up a notch and jog or take two steps at a time. Just watch your footing!

RUN YOUR DOG: KONGs are good outdoor exercise toys. They also work well for indoor play in large spaces such as a gym, recreation room or even a long hallway. In this game, your dog will be off leash. Make sure you are in a secure area if your dog is not trustworthy to be off his or her leash. Throw or roll the KONG and ask your dog to “fetch” or “get the KONG!” When your dog finds the KONG, ask him or her to “Bring it to me!” If your dog is resistant to bringing you the KONG, practice this exercise game in shorter spaces inside. If your dog won’t chase and retrieve the KONG on his/her own, play a game I call “Rodeo.” You will need another person to play this game. Again, your dog will be off leash, so make sure you are in a secure area. Stand 40 paces apart. Make sure you and your partner both have treats in your pocket or pouch (I use pieces of Leader Dog Floyd’s dry dog food for treats). Put your dog in a “sit” beside you. When your partner is ready, he or she calls your dog. You release the dog and the dog runs to your partner. Take turns running your dog between you. Use a welcoming, “Come!” Between each sprint, have the dog settle before running again. Increase the distance between you and your partner or change your position left or right to make the game more challenging for your dog. This game is especially good for very cold days. Your dog gets a maximum amount of exercise in a short amount of time. Be aware of when your dog tires.

In frigid temperatures, you are safer to exercise more times per day for shorter periods of time. It can take minutes for a dog to begin getting frostbite. Vulnerable areas are the tips of the ears, the end of the nose and the paws. If you must stand with your Leader Dog on snow, ice or even a frozen sidewalk while you are waiting for a ride, bus or train, try to keep your dog moving his or her feet every minute or two. This helps to promote blood flow and keep the dog’s pads from getting frostbite.

A dog lifts his or her paws off the ground when they are cold. In the heat, your dog will lift his or her paws when their feet are being scorched by hot pavement, a sizzling sidewalk or sun-drenched sand or gravel. Always be cognitive of the ground surface temperature. Remember, your dog is barefoot.

If your Leader Dog is content just hanging out on inclement winter days, or if it’s just too hot, this is a sign that it is time to get up and move. Play, groom or better yet, gear up and go out for a walk or an outside game. If it’s a hot day, head to an air-conditioned space to exercise. Keeping yourself and your dog fit will assure many happy, healthy days to come!

Amy Chevalier sits facing the camera and smiling with her left arm around yellow Labrador Leader Dog Ember, who also sits facing the camera in harness

When Amy Chevalier’s daughter, Samantha, began taking her first steps, Amy came to a realization. The diabetic retinopathy that had progressed rapidly during her pregnancy had left her legally blind, and her daughter’s exploration of the world around her could be curbed by Amy’s lack of confidence in her own mobility. “I didn’t feel safe enough to do something as simple as take her to the park,” Amy says. “I wasn’t afraid to cross streets by myself, but the thought of doing it with my baby was terrifying to me.”

That is when Amy decided to get a guide dog. “I looked at it so simply: by having a Leader Dog I would feel safe to cross the streets to take my daughter to the park. I had no idea that having a Leader Dog would allow me to do so much more.”

Amy’s first Leader Dog, Dakota, took on 18-month-old Samantha’s safety as part of her job, even though Amy knew Dakota’s only job was to safely guide Amy. “There were times when my daughter would walk beside me and when we stopped, Dakota would position herself across my body to secure Samantha between us.” With Dakota at her side, Amy took Samantha to the park, restaurants, the library, preschool, the grocery store, the pharmacy and the post office. “Having a [Leader Dog] gave me the confidence to take my daughter out alone, and being able to do these things gave me a sense of independence that I didn’t think I would have again.”

Learn more about Guide Dog Training.

When Samantha was eight, Amy got her second Leader Dog, Lucy. “Dakota got us through the toddler years, preschool and the beginning of elementary school, and Lucy got us through the end of elementary school, middle school, high school and college.” Her Leader Dogs accompanied Amy to crowded theaters for dance recitals, gymnasiums for parent-teacher conferences, school plays, awards ceremonies, cheerleading competitions and choir concerts.

When Amy decided to go back to college herself, she credits the independence and confidence she felt from working with her Leader Dogs for helping her achieve her goal. With Ember, her third Leader Dog, Amy plans to re-enter the workforce.

Amy’s advice to others who are blind and preparing for parenthood is to embrace the opportunities that having a Leader Dog can create. “Having a dog teaches children to respect and care for animals. Other than driving, there isn’t anything that I haven’t been able to do with my daughter [and that is] because I’ve had a guide dog.”

It can also be a teaching moment for other children. “Some of my best experiences have been to hear the excitement in children’s voices when they get to see a guide dog up close and learn about all the things they can do,” Amy says. Her Leader Dogs have not only helped provide independence and confidence. They also became an integral part of family life. “To say that my Leader Dog is family doesn’t do the relationship justice. There is a bond so deep and so strong that words can’t describe what each one means to me.”

Apply for a Leader Dog today.

A woman holing a white cane crosses a street with vehicles and a stoplight in the background. Another woman in a Leader Dog shirt follows behind, observing

A Letter from Mike Garrigan, Leader Dog Client

I woke up Sunday morning thinking I was still at Leader Dog—mentally getting ready for another day of instruction and [orientation and mobility] challenges. I really was looking forward to another day. From the very beginning of the program to the very end of the program, my experience with Leader Dog was off-the-charts positive.

The clear sign that Leader Dog was on top of things was after I received the acceptance call, I then received another call shortly thereafter from a travel agent who booked my flight. This was well organized and from the start I knew I was going to the right place for help. After completing a week of O&M training, one of your volunteers drove me to the airport and sat with me at the gate for two hours to ensure I boarded the plane without problems. He didn’t have to do that and I told him so, but he stayed and we talked. I thanked him and really appreciated it. I even received a packed lunch from the Leader Dog folks! Too awesome!

Leader Dog was extremely well organized with extraordinary people who were all extraordinarily friendly and helpful. My biggest challenge for the week at Leader Dog was to expand my ever-so shrinking comfort zone. The simplest things have become very difficult over the years. I’m so thankful for the specialist I was assigned. She was exactly what I needed. She challenged me, trained me, taught me a lot and listened when I needed to talk. Her great sense of humor lessened my stress during very stressful situations for me. O&M was tough but enjoyable. I knew I was in very capable hands when she helped expand my comfort zone even during the first day when I accomplished something that I hadn’t done in years—crossed the street independently!

The week I spent at Leader Dog and the entire experience has earned a special place in my heart. I left Leader Dog more humbled and more grateful than ever.

Take Care,

Mike Garrigan

Apply for Orientation & Mobility Training today.

Tripp walks toward the camera on a sidewalk with one arm extended in front of him. On his left is a yellow Labrador Leader Dog in harness
© Jeffrey D. Etheridge

There is no shortage of preparation needed for heading off to college, but being unable to visually orient yourself to a large, busy campus adds another layer of complexity. “We spent three and a half days on campus and downtown,” Tripp Gulledge says. “Even that might not have been enough, but it’s what we had to work with.”

The adventure began last year, when Tripp and his Leader Dog, yellow Labrador Dakota, came to Auburn University. Tripp is studying music performance and music education, which means his schedule is packed. “Music majors have a lot of classes that are only one or two credits, so being a full-time student means you don’t have a lot of free time,” Tripp says.

Tripp was aware from a young age that he was likely to lose his vision. When he was just in grade school, a speaker came to his school and gave a presentation about guide dogs. Tripp knew from that moment that he wanted a guide dog, but he still had some residual vision, which can complicate working with a dog. When Tripp was a sophomore, a counselor recommended Leader Dog’s Summer Experience Camp. Tripp was intrigued, but the camp was already full. The next year, Tripp was unable to go. College was quickly approaching, but Tripp had already made his decision: he was going to get a Leader Dog.

“Everyone I talked to said such good things,” Tripp recalls. “I never really considered going anywhere else.” Tripp is a fast walker, and he met his match in Leader Dog Dakota. “In the beginning, he was sort of dragging me down the street,” Tripp says. “But we found our balance.” Even though Tripp knew how guide dogs worked, he was impressed by Dakota’s skills as they trained together. “Probably the third or fourth day, I would get back from the routes, and people would be talking about the obstacles on the routes. Dakota was taking me around things I didn’t even know were there, which is when I realized how gifted he was.” Shortly afterward, during night travel training, Tripp and Dakota fell into sync. “He didn’t miss a curb and I didn’t miss a command, and that’s when I knew we were going to be a good team.”

Learn more about Guide Dog Training.

At Auburn, Tripp continues to work on his partnership with Dakota as they traverse campus. “It’s definitely made me a lot more responsible. My schedule is not just about me anymore. On a daily basis, I need to hold up my end of the communication. I need to make sure I’m doing everything right so Dakota can do everything right.” In addition to the mobility and speed that Dakota gives to Tripp, Tripp also appreciates “the pure joy of having a dog.”

Dakota is a popular sight at Auburn. “He attracts a lot of attention. He’s a stud and he knows it,” Tripp says. Tripp has made a tradition of taking Dakota to a sitting area in the music hall during finals week, where he takes off Dakota’s harness and lets his exam-stressed peers enjoy some Labrador love.

In addition to his classes, leading Bible studies and learning the guitar, Tripp is also a member of Auburn’s marching band. Even though his list of activities doesn’t leave him and Dakota with a lot of down time, Tripp thinks that’s what college is all about. “You’re on your own for the first time, and part of the beauty of that is meeting new people and testing the waters and finding different groups,” he says. “Have no fear. Embrace college.”

If you could offer three pieces of advice to a person who’s blind and headed to college, what would they be?

  1. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. You have to be comfortable going to people such as professors, administrators or RAs and talking about your needs.
  2. Allot time to orient yourself properly. With or without a guide dog, knowing your environment beforehand will save time and stress.
  3. Branch out. Don’t just go to class and go home. You can’t be afraid to branch out and try new things.

Apply for a Leader Dog today.