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Leader Dog Blog

Two individuals posing for a photo, one wearing a gray fleece jacket and the other in a historical costume with a fur hat and carrying a musket, standing in an indoor area with stairs in the background.

On the Road with Barry – Morgantown, WV

Day 1 I’m in Morgantown, West Virginia, to visit Debbie. Get this y’all: She’s had dogs from Leader for 40 years! Can you imagine? She’s getting a little orientation and mobility (O&M) brush-up while waiting to apply for her next ...
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Person sitting on the floor inside a whelping area holding a 'Gravity Falls' book, petting a black dog lying next to them.

The First Leader Dog Puppies of 2025: A Special Beginning and the Heart of a Volunteer

The first Leader Dog puppies of 2025 are here! Born on January 7th, this adorable litter of three puppies marks an exciting milestone for Leader Dogs for the Blind and the dedicated volunteers who help bring these dogs into the ...
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Group of three people and a guide dog posing in a modern conference room. They stand in front of a screen displaying a logo with the text Taking the Lead. Two women wear casual attire, smiling alongside a man holding the dog's harness. Professional lighting equipment and a whiteboard are visible in the background.

Reflecting on Three Years of Taking the Lead: A Personal Note

I still remember my first day at Leader Dogs for the Blind when I was asked to help create a podcast. As someone new to the team, I was both excited and nervous about the opportunity to share our clients' ...
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A black Labrador puppy sitting indoors a green ball is in front of it. The puppy is wearing a blue Future Leader Dog bandana.

Change Lives: Become a Future Leader Dog Puppy Raiser

Have you ever dreamed of making a lasting impact while sharing your life with an adorable puppy? As a Future Leader Dog puppy raiser, you can do exactly that. Every year, dedicated volunteers spend 12-15 months nurturing and training puppies ...
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Two individuals stand in front of the Casa Grande National Monument sign, wearing matching Taking the Lead t-shirts. The prehistoric ruins and desert landscape are visible in the background under a bright, sunny sky.

On the Road with Barry (and Sarah) – Phoenix, Arizona

To introduce myself: My name is Sarah Duyck, I am an orientation and mobility (O&M) and field service representative, DeafBlind, at Leader Dogs for the Blind. However, that is an extremely new title for me. Today’s my first day! I ...
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On the Road with Barry – North Carolina

Day One I’m flying with the other airline today, so I don’t have high hopes. I’m seated near the back of the cattle car—I mean, cabin—next to two folks who don’t look happy to see me. As I put my ...
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On the Road with Barry – West Virginia

Day one I flew into Pittsburg, an airport I really enjoy. It’s a small airport representing a big city. Major flights without the major hassle. I’m on my way to Clarksburg, West Virginia to work with Kris, who I first ...
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On the Road with Barry – Morrisville, PA

Day One I flew into Philadelphia, picked up my rental car and set the GPS for my drive out to Morrisville, Philadelphia, which is just across the river from Trenton, New Jersey.  I’ve only been to Philadelphia one other time ...
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On the Road with Barry – Elgin, Illinois

Day One I traveled from Minneapolis to Chicago on Saturday, got the rental car and on to the hotel. I barely took any time to look around as I was a bit tired of being on the go. Also, the ...
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A man walking along a downtown area sidewalk using a white cane.

On the Road with Barry – Wisconsin

Day Zero I started this trip a little early this time. I went out to West Texas to visit my mom who had a little surgery. I love my extended family and cherish the time I get to spend with ...
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