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"Guide Dogs for the Blind
celebrates the human-animal bond by creating lifelong partnerships between
skilled Guide Dogs and people with vision loss. Our services are
provided free-of-charge to visually impaired men and women from throughout
the United States and Canada." -- from the www.guidedogs.com
web site.
Words and pictures express
only part of the incredible experience of attending a Guide Dog for the
Blind graduation ceremony. The rest is felt in the heart and soul.
Twenty red hatters from
various chapters attended the June graduation. We were first given a
private tour of the facilities led by Ray and Bev. We saw the
dormitory where the new dog owners live for 28 days so they can
participate at the end of the training. We visited the veterinary
clinic, the kennels, the food preparation room, and saw one of the dogs
being bathed.
After the tour, we took our
reserved seats in the auditorium. After a short introduction and a
slide show, we began the unforgettable
experience of watching and listening to the "puppy raisers" as
they handed over the guide dogs to their new owners. They shared
with us their experiences and heartfelt feelings, and
there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
After the
graduation, the graduates, trainers, puppy raisers and guests met in the
lobby for refreshments and conversation.
I highly recommend the guide
dog graduation ceremony, which is held on one Saturday per month.
To see future dates and to learn more about this organization, please
visit their website at www.guidedogs.com.
A special thank you to Jane
Grecco, a special volunteer who coordinates the visits to these
graduations. (Row 1, Photo 2).
Eve Grace
(row 4 photo 3) found a fabulous pair of shoes on e-bay (row 4 photo 4).
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