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Black lab in Leader Dog harness facing toward the camera on a sidewalk. A person's leg can be seen in the background next to the dog. The background is blurred and the dog in focus

Guide Dog Myths and Truths

Today, we’re going to talk about guide dogs—those amazing four-legged companions who help people with visual impairments get around. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about these incredible dogs, so we’re going to sort through the ...
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Six people, two women and four men, stand on a gravel road, smiling at the camera. Three people hold white canes.

What is Orientation and Mobility?

You may not have heard of “orientation and mobility” or “O&M” before, but you’re probably familiar with the concept of someone who’s blind traveling with a white cane. Orientation and mobility (O&M) is how we refer to the training people ...
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Keith, wearing sunglasses, khaki shorts and a blue Leader Dog polo, sits smiling next to a woman in sunglasses and a flowery top. The woman has her mouth in a wide open smile as if laughing. A yellow lab in harness sits near their feet looking at them.

Thank You, Keith McGregor

It's not hard to find passionate, dedicated team members at Leader Dog, and Keith McGregor was a perfect example. After 41 years with Leader Dog, we said "happy retirement" to Keith. Keith started with Leader Dog back in 1981 as ...
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A man in jeans and a dark jacket and gray knit hat walks down a leaf-covered sidewalk with a yellow lab in harness

Meeting My Match: A Leader Dog Diary

By Joey J., Guide Dog Client Day 1 My humble abode. The door heads out to the courtyard. If anyone is interested and wants to see my daily activities or training I am going to try and update every evening ...
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Ashley is wearing a Dorothy costume from the Wizard of Oz and smiling while she holds her pyrenean sheepdog, Gryf

How to Have a Spooky Safe Dog Halloween

By Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Ashley Nunnelly Spooky season is upon us! Here are a few tips to make your dog’s Halloween mostly full of treats (of the dog-safe variety) and fewer tricks! Keep the human treats far away from ...
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A smiling girl walking with a white cane on a sidewalk surrounded by fall leaves. With her are two adult women.

Cane Quest at Leader Dog

White Cane Safety Day is celebrated every year on October 15! This day celebrates the white cane as an essential tool that gives individuals who are blind or visually impaired a life full of independence. The white cane provides people ...
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A closeup selfie of a woman, Jill, and a German shepherd, Leader Dog Hannah, in the front passenger seat of a car. Jill is smiling and wearing a winter coat, scarf and knit headband. Hannah has her pink tongue slightly hanging out of her mouth. In the background is a children play structure and a line of trees without leaves.

Voice of the Leader Dog Community: Jill

NOTE: Today’s posts are a reprinting of an article titled “How Not to Be Awkward around Your Disabled Colleagues/Students” written by Jill Hinton Wolfe of Grand Valley State University that was originally published on HigherEdJobs.com. I know all about awkward ...
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Mark sits on a park bench with flowers and greenery behind him. Yellow lab Leader Dog Izzy sits in front of him on the cement in her harness.

Three Journeys with Leader Dogs

Fifteen years ago I began my journey to receive my first Leader Dog, Callie. [Guide Dog Mobility] Instructor Sue guided me through the new experience of learning the commands, what the dog is capable of in times of any difficult ...
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A woman with short, grey hair wearing a grey polo shirt with the old Leader Dog logo and khaki pants. She has a large smile on her face and her left arm is hugging a yellow Labrador retriever that is wearing a brown leather Leader Dog harness. The dog is light, golden tan with darker gold ears.

Voice of the Leader Dog Community: Pauline

This entry in the Voices of the Leader Dog Community was submitted by Lion Alescia “AJ” Johns, who titled her piece “Pauline’s Big Adventure.” The person she is referring to is LDB client Pauline Ulrey. Pauline has been living life ...
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Helaine and her current Leader Dog, Zara. They are sitting on a bench and Helaine has her left arm around Zara’s shoulders. Helaine is wearing black slacks, a purple long-sleeve shirt and a brightly patterned yellow, tan and red scarf; she has a large smile on her face. Zara is a yellow golden retriever/Labrador retriever cross. She has dark eyes and a dark nose. She is leaning into Helaine and is wearing a brown leather Leader Dog harness.

Voice of the Leader Dog Community: Helaine

Hello. I’m Helaine and my Leader Dog #2 is Zara; we were matched in April of this year. I waited a very long time for Zara due to Covid and the brutal Texas heat! It was very hard to be ...
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