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Month: June 2019

A black lab lies on a blanket in a whelping box with several newborn black lab puppies nursing

By Gary Lewandowski

On April 24, 2019, Leader Dog Mom “Trinket” officially became a “Retired Leader Dog Mom!”

She gave the Leader Dog organization four great litters, all so very different but all just fantastic little individual Future Leader Dogs! Some have already gone on to become guide dogs while others have settled into a great life with loving families as career changed dogs, while others are with their puppy raisers or undergoing training now at Leader Dog!

A very young black lab puppy sits in a sink. It is all wet and looking at the cameraThe experience has taught my wife Lori and I patience, and more especially a real appreciation for the miracle of birth and how amazing the natural instincts of these remarkable dogs are.

Being a host family is a lot of work, and yes, there were a couple heartbreaks along the way, which comes with doing this, but weighed against the rewards and the satisfaction of knowing that the efforts can and will make a strong and positive change in someone’s life make the experience invaluable.

The good far outweighed the bad for sure!

So now OUR Trinket will enjoy a great life in our home that will be her forever home, and she will be rewarded with many years of love and spoiling!

Two young black lab puppies sleep next to each other, one on its belly and one on its backWill we host another Leader Dog Mom? Well, if this fantastic experience working with an organization that is so very meaningful in changing the lives or people with blindness is any indication of how we feel and how proud we are to be a part of it, I guess that question has already been answered!

And for those who may be considering becoming a host home for a LD Mom or Dad… you will never regret that decision and the experience! It is indeed life changing and in a very good way!

Photos courtesy of Gary Lewandowski

A man walks down a sidewalk on a sunny day. He is using a white cane and smiling

Orientation & Mobility Training Options at Leader Dog

Leader Dogs for the Blind understands the importance for someone who is blind or visually impaired to develop strong orientation & mobility (O&M) skills to increase their travel independence. Whether someone is new to using a white cane, wants to prepare for training with a guide dog or is a long-time cane user who experienced further sight loss, O&M Training at Leader Dog can be tailored to fit their needs.
Join us as we explain O&M, what skills are taught during training, application requirements and how we can partner with certified orientation & mobility specialists (COMS) throughout the U.S. and Canada to help ease caseloads.

View our previous webinar, “New Guide Dog Training Options and Summer Experience Camp.”

If you would like to be notified of future webinars, please email Rachelle Kniffen with your request.

Meet Your Host and Presenters

Erica Ihrke has been Leader Dog’s manager of extended services since 2008. She earned her master’s degree in orientation and mobility from Western Michigan University. She is currently a member of the O&M Subject Matter Expert Committee for the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals and is a past president of Michigan Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER).

Erica is an in-demand speaker and has presented at several AER International Conferences and the International Mobility Conference on the topics of guide dog readiness, alternative models of O&M, and accessible GPS.

Rod Haneline has been a member of the Leader Dog team since 1979, Rod currently oversees O&M, GPS and guide dog training as the chief programs and services officer. He has also served as director of client services and was a guide dog mobility instructor for 12 years.

Rod is internationally recognized for his extensive knowledge in developing advanced orientation and mobility (O&M) instructional programs. He has developed integrated methods for the use of canes and dogs as well as GPS in both O&M and guide dog programs.

David Locklin has 17 years experience in guide dog training. His career started with Guide Dogs for the Blind in the United Kingdom where he was a guide dog mobility instructor for seven years before becoming their service delivery manager.

Since 2014, David has been Leader Dog’s director of programs, overseeing the training department and the outreach services & community engagement department. Among David’s responsibilities is ensuring that all programs meet International Guide Dog Federation standards and that the needs of all clients are being met.

Sarah sits smiling at the camera in front of a beige wall. She is sitting next to a yellow lab

I never knew how much Leader Dogs for the Blind would mean to me or how invested I would become when I began volunteering in August 2007. I started by coming in one day a week but I quickly realized how much I loved being here. I kept adding days to my schedule and I currently volunteer four days a week. I split my time between canine center receptionist and canine support assistant. I look forward to coming in each and every day because it puts a smile on my face. It really makes me feel good to help other people and be a service to the community.

The canine center receptionist role is extremely rewarding. I have always loved being around dogs and I enjoy administrative work so this was the perfect fit for me. I answer incoming calls and talk to some amazing people. I enjoy greeting all the visitors, puppy raisers, volunteers and employees when they come into the canine center. I have gotten to know a lot of people and I value all the friendships I have made over the years. My favorite part is interacting with others and how I feel when I have helped someone either in person or over the phone.

There are so many things I enjoy about this volunteer role, but one of my absolute favorite things is witnessing career changed dogs go to their new home. It is especially fun to see puppy raisers come in to pick up their dog after being career changed. The puppy raisers simply amaze me with how much work they put into raising their puppies. The dogs are so excited to be reunited with their raisers!

I am really impressed with the organization and how much time and training is required to prepare a dog to become a Leader Dog for a client. As a canine support assistant, I get to spend one-on-one time with the dogs in training. I love being able to sit with the dogs, give them love and interact with them. I feel that the dogs work hard and it brightens their day and makes them feel special to receive individual attention. It is also rewarding to be a part of these dogs’ lives knowing that they could potentially be guiding a person who is visually impaired or blind in the future.

Volunteering at LDB these past 12 years has been such an amazing experience. I am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful organization that provides their services free of charge. I love spending a large part of my week at LDB and knowing it is helping clients gain independence.