guide dog Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Leader Dogs for the Blind

January 15, 2019October 16, 2018

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.

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.
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!
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?
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.
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.

October 16, 2018

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!

July 12, 2019October 15, 2018

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.”

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April 1, 2024May 8, 2018

Zeke was so much more than a guide dog to me. He was my best friend. Please bear with me as I share my emotional tribute to Zeke.

Zeke shone from the inside out. He was always full of joy, happy to be a working dog and full of unconditional love. His effervescence touched the lives of everyone he met. Zeke encompassed lightheartedness and patience, always presenting in a calm, cool, and collective manner. His eyes penetrated positivity, affection with no limitations, and acceptance deep into the souls of those who met him. My genuine sadness perforates all aspects of my being.

After I received Zeke, my confidence grew in leaps and bounds. Prior to teaming up with Zeke I hadn’t recognized the extent of my anxiety maneuvering around with a cane. I had felt vulnerable. With Zeke, I soon actualized that I wasn’t going to fall down a hole, off a curb, or get hit by a car; in fact together, we could achieve the extraordinary. I hadn’t enjoyed venturing into the unknown previous to Zeke, but with him I was empowered, and therefore started actively seeking out opportunities. We must have ridden on thousands of buses, trains, and planes together and we travelled around the world. Zeke logged more airplane miles than the average human. We were a team, a partnership, an undeniable force.

Zeke lead me through many milestones. He accompanied me from beginning to end of my Master’s degree and never missed a class, providing support not only for me, but also my classmates. It was so liberating that I didn’t need anyone’s help at graduation to walk the stage bearing a smile of accomplishment, because I had Zeke guiding me. Zeke joined me on almost every component of my Paralympic journey; spending countless hours sitting at the side of a track watching me run in circles. Zeke accompanied me to many training camps and competitions. Zeke was there to happily greet me, without judgement, after every race; success or failure.

Zeke stood by side during my mother’s death. I cried for hours into his soft shoulder as he nuzzled and comforted. He cuddled with me when I was consumed with grief, and endlessly nagged if I didn’t get him out for his walk. Zeke got me out even when I felt like crawling up into a ball. Zeke helped me overcome fearful events, grieved with me, and offered consolation through all my lows; once again, without judgement. Zeke was central to all the impactful moments of my life.

When Zeke embarked into retirement he took on the job of mentoring our little bundle of joy, Scooter. He taught Scooter habits – bad and good, and nurtured him into a fine young pup. The two of them become the best of friends. Zeke embraced retirement, finding bliss in substantially more treats, access to the bed and couch, and just being a goofy playful dog. Although, not formally working Zeke remained protective of me and was still avidly cautious when we were out on walks together. Zeke was inevitably a part of me, and my heart has a huge void.

Zeke, your memory will always be with us and I know your spirit will continue to touch us all. You have left paw prints on my soul. I love you forever unconditionally. I miss you. Please be at peace and know you set an example for us on earth to love non-judgmentally, embrace fear and opportunity, and be present for one another.

Zeke (April 28, 2005 – April 12, 2018)

March 28, 2018March 21, 2018

Leader Dogs provide independent travel for thousands of people around the world. Whether you know someone who works with a Leader Dog or just want to know how to react when you encounter one, you can help Leader Dogs and their handlers travel safely by following some simple suggestions.

When you meet a Leader Dog, remember:

A Leader Dog is a working dog and should not be petted or called without its handler’s permission. A Leader Dog is on duty when in harness, even when sitting or lying down.
Avoid making eye contact with a working dog. Eye contact is still a form of attention and may distract the dog from it work.
Do not take hold of the Leader Dog or its harness without permission. If it looks like the guide dog handler needs assistance, ask the handler before taking any action.
When providing directions to a guide dog handler, speak to the person, not the dog. Be sure to use specific, easy-to-follow indicators like, “Go north two blocks, then east,” or “Turn left at the next curb and go two blocks.”
Please do not feed a Leader Dog, whether it is on or off duty. Leader Dogs follow a veterinarian-prescribed diet.
A Leader Dog team has the right of way and, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, is required to be allowed access everywhere the public is allowed. You can learn more about service dog rights under the ADA from the frequently asked questions answered by the U.S. Department of Justice.

May 1, 2024October 14, 2016

By Gretchen Preston | Leader Dog Client

I adored watching sunsets, scanning the sky for shooting stars and summer fireworks. Never did I consider these simple things would become only visual memories. In the fifth grade, I began having problems with my vision. Two years earlier, my younger brother had been diagnosed with an inherited eye disease. The specialist told my parents to watch for signs of visual difficulties in their other three children. Both brother Chris and I were diagnosed with Stargardt disease. This rare inherited eye disease is a juvenile onset form of macular degeneration. Similar to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the resulting loss of central vision, they are two different diseases.

We could not read normal print, street signs or see the details of faces. We used magnifying machines, talking books, and volunteer readers to help with homework. With the support of low vision professionals, visual aids and daily help from friends and family, my brother and I adjusted to having low vision. As college students, we worked with the state department of vocational rehabilitation and the university counselors for disabled students to become successful in academia. We earn master’s degrees and had long professional careers. After genetic counseling, my siblings and I decided not to pass the gene for Stargardt’s on to future generations. Never having the visual acuity to drive a car, both Chris and I chose to live in towns with public transportation.

Our vision continues to fade. To date, we have lost our color vision and experience night blindness. Chris travels with a white cane. He was evaluated for a stem cell transplant but was ruled out medically. My vision now is 20/800. I see only blurry shadows. When I moved rurally, I found walking through meadows and along the beach to be disorienting with a cane.

Two and a half years ago I went to Leader Dogs for the Blind and was trained with a Leader Dog and talking GPS. Wow! Having the dog for safe, independent travel and the GPS for orientation is so empowering. After being visually impaired most of my life I never have known so much confidence, so much freedom or had so much fun being blind!

January 9, 2018May 24, 2016

By Paul Teranes | Leader Dog Client and Board Member

The average day in the life of a Leader Dog varies as much as the life of its user. Some dogs spend most of the day in a work environment which may consist of lying under a desk or beside a machine. Some dogs may be partnered with a person who is unemployed or retired, and spend much of the day in a home environment. Some dogs may be working in a busy city or college campus environment leading its user on and off public transportation, and down crowded sidewalks and across busy intersections. Other Leader Dogs may be working in quiet neighborhoods enabling its user to run errands and to have the freedom to get out and walk whenever the user chooses.

As a Leader Dog user for over fifty years, I consider the behavior of the dog at home as important as the working ability of the dog when out in public.

No matter what circumstances or environment the Leader Dog finds it is working in, every Leader Dog has a home life. It is likely that the dog will spend more time in the home than working outside the home. You want a dog who can relax around the home spending much of the time lying quietly, without pacing around or barking at the window every time another dog walks by the house. You also want a dog you can trust that it will not get into food left out in the kitchen if you leave the kitchen. Likewise, you want a dog who knows the difference between its toys and a pair of shoes or socks that were left on the floor. You’ll want a dog that greets visitors with a sniff or two, as dogs are likely to do, but also to leave the visitor alone once they’re in the house. Of course, you do not want a dog that will relieve itself in the house, but this also depends on the responsibility of the user to take the dog out at least four times a day to relieve itself.

All dogs like to play, and people like to play with dogs. Playing is a mutually enjoyable activity, but the dog should know when playtime is over, and be able to settle down.

There are times when a Leader Dog must be left home alone. An example of this is that my wife and I ride a tandem bicycle, and when we go bike riding, I cannot take the dog. Some dogs have a greater separation anxiety than others. To alleviate separation anxiety, do not make a big production when leaving or coming back. Just make leaving and coming back an ordinary event. To adjust the dog to being home alone, leave for a short time, and come back. Extend the amount of time that you are gone until the dog realizes no matter how long you are gone, you will come back. You should leave some toys or a Nylabone out so that the dog can amuse itself when you are gone. It may be necessary to put your dog in a dog crate when left home alone. If this is the case, put a favorite toy or a Nylabone into the crate so that the dog does not get bored.

When a Leader Dog is at home and out of the harness, it should be allowed to be a dog, so that it will be rested and relaxed when the harness is back on.

Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind, visually impaired or Deaf-Blind. And while all of our services are free of charge, we receive zero state or federal funding. Click here to help make an impact.

May 1, 2024April 27, 2016

On April 27th, we recognize International Guide Dog Day, a holiday near and dear to our hearts here at Leader Dog. As you may recall, we publicly announced the Canine Development Center Capital Campaign on this day last year – and what a year it has been!

This year, we’re proud to introduce the official Leader Dogs for the Blind blog!

We are kicking off this blog to share news about Leader Dogs for the Blind, including updates on our dogs and clients, and expert tips beneficial to you and your dog. This is also a place for you to ask questions about Leader Dog, especially the ones you’ve always been curious about.

It’s been an exciting start to 2016 for Leader Dog. So far, we’ve placed 123 Leader Dogs with clients and over 63 clients have been served through all our various programs. We’ve also had 100 future Leader Dogs born so far this year. These puppies will eventually join us in our new, innovative Canine Development Center. As you may know, our Canine Center will create the ideal learning and living environment for our dogs, which means that we can better serve our clients by providing the best-trained and highest quality guide dogs possible.

It means so much to us that you are interested in reading our blog and learning more about us – thank you! Your support helps us fulfill our mission of empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. If you’re interested in submitting a blog post idea or have questions for our team, please contact us at LeaderDog@LeaderDog.org, we would love to hear from you!

We are looking forward to showing you an up-close, personal perspective of the dedication of the entire community that supports and is supported by Leader Dog. We encourage you to share our posts on your personal social channels.

We appreciate your support – check back often for updates!

By Sue Daniels, President/CEO