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A young yellow Labrador puppy sits in a metal bucket with its mouth open as though smiling

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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?
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Bill sits in a chair in a suite in the canine center. He is smiling at the camera with one hand on the yellow lab lying next to him on a Kuranda bed

I was born in Minnesota and lived in California and Wisconsin before making my way to Michigan after college. Unfortunately, my dog passed away after I retired from a career in government contracting. I thought about getting another dog, but also wanted to enjoy the benefits of retirement. I wanted the freedom to live and travel without the constraints that come with pet ownership. I also wanted to give back to my community. After talking to a neighbor about her volunteer work at Leader Dogs for the Blind, it seemed to be the perfect opportunity to give me the “dog fix” and community service I wanted. Although I had lived in Rochester Hills for many years, I admit that all that time Leader Dog was just another reference point on Rochester Road (much like a store or restaurant). Little did I know that I was about to find out it was a true jewel hidden in plain sight.

I started volunteering almost seven years ago. What I didn’t realize was that once you become a part of an organization like Leader Dog and see the good they do for their clients, it “gets into your bones” or, as I was reminded recently by a fellow volunteer, it really “gets into your heart.” In addition to my canine support assistant role, I also volunteer as a docent and instructor support.

As a canine support assistant, I provide companionship and stress relief for the dogs in training and that gives me my “dog fix.” As an instructor support volunteer, I assist the instructors on and off campus in a variety of settings as they train the dogs to become Leader Dogs. As a docent, I conduct tours of the campus for the public to help them understand and appreciate Leader Dog’s mission.

My time spent at Leader Dog has fulfilled my desire to bring another dog home. I really love dogs and I feel that my volunteer work makes their journey to becoming a guide dog better and less stressful. All of my current and past volunteer positions have allowed me to see the complete arc of Leader Dog’s operation. More importantly, it has allowed me to see the impact Leader Dog has on people’s lives.

It’s funny that I came to Leader Dog for a “dog fix” because I wanted the freedom to live and travel without constraints, which is the same goal Leader Dog has for their clients.

Mary stands holding a black labrador's leash in a hallway in front of double doors. She is smiling at the camera and surrounded on both sides by young boys wearing Boy Scouts shirts and hats. A Scout leader is also standing with them

Mary St. Clair is a highly involved volunteer at Leader Dogs. She is client driver, a dog driver, a puppy raiser, and so much more! She is currently raising her sixth Future Leader Dog, Westley, a Labrador and golden retriever cross. She began volunteering after driving by the Leader Dog campus and seeing an advertisement for puppy raisers. “I made the decision instantly. It was one of those ‘Why not?’ things,” says Mary. “I had dogs and loved dogs my whole life. Plus, I knew that this would be a great opportunity to help someone.”

Like many of our volunteers, Mary first connected with Leader Dog because of the dogs but has continued helping because of the people we serve. “My favorite part is meeting the clients. Seeing the joy and freedom on their faces is the best feeling in the world.”

Driving the clients to and from the airport, taking them shopping, and helping them become orientated on campus gives her a chance to get to know them. Mary enjoys meeting all the clients, not just the ones who receive the puppies she raised.  “It’s nice to meet people from other parts of the country and the world,” says Mary.

Although she loves her volunteer work, Mary recognizes that the job can be challenging. “My advice to someone considering puppy raising is to contact a puppy raiser and ask to shadow them for a day to see how things fall together. Hopefully, that will give them a better understanding of the commitments required to makes things possible,” she says. “I really love the work I do for Leader Dog. What I expected to be a good experience turned out to be a great experience.”

Pictured above is Mary St. Clair with Future Leader Dog Jaeger, one of the puppies she has raised, visiting a Boy Scout group.

On left is a young golden retriever puppy wearing a Future Leader Dog bandanna. On right is an adult golden retriever in harness

Do you love dogs? Are you passionate about making a difference in the life of someone who is blind? Consider becoming a volunteer puppy raiser. Opening your home to a puppy is a commitment, but in exchange you’ll receive moments of joy that will last a lifetime.

Sandy and Gary Frick were in their living room watching the news when the words, “You too can be a puppy raiser,” caught their attention. Sandy was immediately on-board; Gary was reluctant. It was a few months before Sandy sent in their puppy raiser application. She did it when Gary was at work.

After receiving their first puppy, Murphy, a black Labrador retriever, Gary cautioned Sandy, “You won’t be able to take him back.” Sandy remembers, “When returning Murphy, I didn’t get 10 blocks from home before I started crying. I only made it to Leader Dog because I couldn’t let Gary be right.”

24 Leader Dog Puppies Later…

The Fricks say that meeting clients who received the dogs they raised is what keeps them coming back for more. Sandy recalls, “One client told us that getting her Leader Dog was better than all the Christmas gifts she had ever gotten in her life. We’re amazed that what we thought was a small thing we could do makes such a big impact on a person’s life.”

“I’d tell anyone who is considering raising a puppy to take time to think about it,” says Sandy. “Also, that it has been one of the most rewarding things we’ve ever done. When you experience how you can directly impact someone’s life, it’s a feeling that you will always remember.”

Pictured above is Gibson, a golden retriever that Gary and Sandy raised for Leader Dog.

Learn more about becoming a puppy raiser.

The Williams family kneels outdoors with a black lab

I first considered raising a puppy for Leader Dogs for the Blind when our school-age son declared, “I am going to have ten dogs when I grow up.” I decided then that our children needed to learn to be responsible pet owners. Although we have always had a family dog, our kids did not know the time and effort that goes into developing a well-mannered pet. As they moved into middle school, they were required to log volunteer hours. They willingly participated, but their hearts were not always in it. In 2009, I decided it was time to raise a puppy so they could learn to LOVE volunteer work.

Both objectives were met: they learned how to properly raise a dog and how fun and rewarding volunteering can be. But we all got SO much more out of it, including the satisfaction of working together toward a common goal and honoring a commitment even when it is difficult. We showered that puppy with love and had to regroup and come to terms with him being career changed. He was adopted by a wonderful family and has single handedly turned six people into dog lovers! His true purpose.

We have since raised three additional puppies. Although the main responsibility is mine, my family is extremely supportive and invested in each puppy. I have also taken on three additional volunteer duties at Leader Dog. For three hours each Friday, I assist in feeding, enriching and bathing puppies as an on-campus puppy raiser. The puppies are at Leader Dog for approximately one week between leaving their host home and being assigned to a raiser. With the encouragement of another volunteer, Mary St. Clair, I also began volunteering as a resident orientation guide. Once a month, resident orientation guides welcome clients to the campus and give each one an individual tour of the residence building and their room.

My fourth volunteer role is one I was not seeking out but has turned out to be amazing. Our fourth puppy was pulled for breeding and we became her host family. Witnessing puppies come into this world and the loving care the mother gives them is indescribable and unforgettable. She is currently due with her second litter.

One of our most memorable Leader Dog experiences was meeting Miguel, the client who had received one of the puppies we raised, and his interpreter. Miguel was over the top with gratitude to Leader Dog and us. Despite the language barrier we had an incredibly heart-warming visit. He explained to us that on issue day (the day that clients receive their Leader Dogs), the instructor told him that he was receiving the smallest dog in that class. He told us that he quickly learned that although she was small she had the biggest heart of all, after which Miguel, my family and even the interpreter cried. I beamed with pride for the puppy we raised and knew all was right with the world.

On Saturday, June 4, we held our inaugural Bark & Brew presented by Chief Financial Credit Union. More than 2,000 attendees came out to Rochester Mills Beer Co. in support of Leader Dogs for the Blind, making our first year a resounding success!

Attendees enjoyed live music on the Sellers Subaru Stage from Single Shot Steve and Oakland University Gold Vibrations and danced the night away during Parallel Fifth’s set. Children had a blast in the Kids’ Play Area enjoying a bounce in the Andrews Realty Bounce House and other inflatables, face painting, a coloring station and five carnival games.

Chief Financial Credit Union, the presenting sponsor of Bark & Brew and the official credit union of Leader Dogs for the Blind, unveiled its special Leader Dogs for the Blind reward Visa card at the event. For every card opened between now and June 18, Chief Financial will donate $25 to Leader Dog. Not only that, the more you spend, the more rewards you earn and the more donations Chief will make to Leader Dog!

Our intent behind putting on Bark & Brew was to create an event in which families and people of all ages could come out to learn more about Leader Dog in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our turnout in year one, especially considering some of the heavy rains we experienced in the evening. Some of our younger attendees even took the opportunity to play in the rain!

There were plenty of Future Leader Dogs, Leader Dog moms and dads, Leader Dogs in training and working Leader Dogs in attendance which gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the many facets of Leader Dog, up close and personal. (would love the pic of the dog and little boy by this)

Attendees learned about volunteer opportunities such as puppy raising and hosting a breeding stock dog and took advantage of viewing live training demonstrations to see how our expert trainers teach our dogs the necessary skills to become guide dogs.

All in all, it was a great day and we look forward to seeing everyone (and more!) back next year as we plan to make Bark & Brew and annual Leader Dog event.


By Dani Landolt, Director of Corporate Relations at Leader Dogs for the Blind

Our event couldn’t have been a success without the support of our sponsors – a special thanks goes to: Chief Financial Credit Union, Sellers Subaru, Coastal Pet Products, Purina Pro Plan, All American Pet Resorts, Three Dog Bakery, Andrews Realty Group/Somerset Lending Corp, WNIC, WJR, WXOU and WXYZ.