By Vijay Joshi KPA CTP, FFCP, Manager of Raiser and Host Experience at Leader Dogs for the Blind
There is no question that our Leader Dog Moms (LDM) and Leader Dog Dads (LDD) are incredible dogs. They were each hand picked to continue the Leader Dog mission and pass on ideal traits to the puppies destined to become a partner to someone who is blind or visually impaired.
Our breeding, puppy development, guide dog teams and volunteers work hard to lead these puppies into success. LDM Java and LDD Bucky are excellent examples of what that hard work spawns.
This match resulted in an exceptional litter of eight Future Leader Dogs. Of the eight puppies, five completed formal training, graduated and are currently working! One litter directly changed five lives.
“Ending with such a successful litter was a fitting capstone to the wonderful experience we have had hosting Java. The opportunity to meet some of the clients whose lives will be changed by the puppies that were born in our home made it even more special. We are grateful for the help the breeding team gave us throughout this process and appreciate the efforts of the puppy raisers, dog trainers and everyone else at Leader Dog who made the litter a success,” says LDM Java’s Breeding Host Volunteer.
Additionally, two of those five puppies were selected to become Leader Dog Moms: Emma and Breezy. LDM Emma delivered her first litter in February and all six of her puppies are out in their first phase of training with their puppy raiser. We are excited to see them embrace the world this following year.
LDM Breezy’s loving home is with her volunteer puppy raiser, who agreed to become her breeding host when Breezy was selected for breeding. “This has been a first experience for me, it has been very rewarding. Very worthwhile,” says Breezy’s breeding host volunteer. Breezy delivered her litter of eight puppies in May and they have recently arrived on campus waiting to be picked up by their puppy raisers!
LDM Emma and LDM Breezy were able to deliver their healthy puppies in the warm and loving homes of their breeding host volunteers. These volunteers shared the Future Leader Dog’s first moments, the following first seven weeks of their life and now will get to see the impact their work will have on people that will receive these Leader Dogs.
The potential for this next generation of Leader Dogs will only be achieved with the help of volunteer breeding hosts and puppy raisers. Today, Leader Dog offers so many options for puppy raising that contributing to the Leader Dog mission is feasible to almost any household. It is one of those rare opportunities where your care and love for a young puppy can directly change another person’s life. Help us continue this legacy of success, find out more about whelp hosts and puppy raising.
