THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE HAS APPEARED IN THE RECORD ON March 26, 2003

A brief glimpse into the world
of guide dogs

Being true dog lovers it was only normal that our stopover in Palmetto, Florida would include a visit to the renowned Southeastern Guide Dogs headquarters. The 23-acre compound is where up to 150 top quality guide dogs are trained each year for the benefit of the blind and visually handicapped, free of charge.

Early, during our visit, we joined a group of senior citizens in the puppy nursery, some on their knees, others bent over, all grinning likes cats in a fish market. They were completely enthralled by a dozen or so lively and inquisitive Labrador and Collie puppies that had been let loose in the room. Before long we too were on our knees, soaking up the attention of the cutest puppies we've ever seen as they tried to lick us to death.

These were no ordinary puppies. In approximately two years they will be giving much more than just unconditional love to a group of blind and visually impaired citizens. With the proper training they will become their trusting eyes and thus dramatically change their lives. As for the lucky beneficiaries, each one will be required to meet a series of conditions based on age, physical condition, mobility, degree of blindness and ability to care for and work with a guide dog. The process from puppy hood to guide dog is both lengthy and expensive.

Two years is the average delay between the breeding phase to the final delivery and all at a cost of close to $21,000. U.S. per dog. Many of the four-legged pouches that will be unable to pass all of the difficult tests will nevertheless provide an important public service. Some will participate in search and rescue efforts or sniff out bombs and drugs under the guidance of law enforcement officials. Others will lighten up the lives of the sick and elderly or assist the disabled and mentally challenged.

On the day of our visit we joined a group of senior residents that had been bussed to the complex from a nearby retirement community. After observing a 30-minute video on the history of the organization we were directed to the puppy breeding, receiving and training kennels which accommodated dozens of newborn puppies, brood mothers and dogs in training. There, we observed a handful of volunteers called " Puppy Hugger" walking and playing with puppies between the ages of ten days and six weeks.

Once the puppies reach nine weeks old they will be placed with volunteer foster families to be cared for and taught basic obedience .On any given day up to 300 puppies of varied ages and breeds, are placed throughout eight different states, as far north as New York and as far west as Texas. The breeds include Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, rough and smooth coat Collies and German shepherds. As with similar organizations throughout North America, Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are the most popular guide dogs, largely because of their calm and quiet disposition, their intelligence and willingness to please.

According to our hostess, a guide must show a willingness to work, be confident, tolerant and have the ability to concentrate. Asked why Boxers, our favorite breed, were not included, we were told it was due to their relatively short life span. The average working life of a guide dog is approximately 8 years at which time retirement to a loving home is the final stage.

While for most of us, raising a puppy is normally done at home and in an informal manner, guide dog puppies require far more time, responsibility and commitment from their foster families. Volunteers are expected to fully integrate their puppies into their lives by bringing them wherever they go. The socialization process usually begins in a quiet residential area and slowly works up to restaurants, shopping malls, public transit, elevators and so on. By the time the puppy is 29-months-old each foster family receives the dreaded letter asking that they return their puppy for the 4 to 5 month harness training at the Palmetto headquarters. Despite the heartbreaking separation many volunteers find the program so rewarding they choose to participate again and again. Their reward is knowing that their dog will someday change the life of a blind person. A number of IMPACT programs (Inmates Practicing Animal Care and Training) have proven to be successful for both puppies and inmates in the United States. Carefully screened federal and state inmates learn to care for both young and mature puppies, which are then returned to the organization. The emotional aspect of raising a guide dog puppy is one of the main reasons why the program works so well. Not only do the inmates perform an important community service they learn to develop compassion as a result of receiving unconditional love from the puppies. While selective breeding aims to produce dogs that are healthy, friendly and who show a willingness to learn and accept responsibility, the actual training process will determine if the dogs meet all the requirements.

It is during this 4 to 6 month period that they are taught the basic 40 commands by expert trainers, many who are college educated. Ironically, the most important of these commands is " intelligent disobedience". This is when a dog is taught to disobey any command that would put the blind master and dog in danger. Other important commands include "Forward", "Left", "Right", and "Straight on". Half way through our tour we passed near the dormitory and dining campus facilities built to house the blind recipients. It is there that they receive the 26-day resident training program with their eventual guide dogs. While learning to work and care for their guide dog, a bond of love, trust, and team devotion will invariably develop between the two.

Despite the organization's annual budget which last year reached $1,301,000, Southeastern Guide Dogs has persistently refused any financial support from government funding in order to maintain total independence. As a result, during its 20-year existence this highly successful non-profit organization has been entirely funded by individuals, civic-minded organizations such as Lion clubs, charitable foundations, estates and memorial gifts and fund-raisers. Upon leaving the grounds, I couldn't help but remember the words printed on the wall of the administration building, "If you could make a blind person see would you give him hope?