Guiding Eyes for the Blind - Guide Dogs for People with Vision Loss

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Celebrating Our Graduating Teams

Visit our Graduation page for a full listing of our Graduating Teams

This week's feature for Transformation Tuesday is

This week's feature for Transformation Tuesday is a steady and sweet black lab named Ira. The handsome pup trained with first-time handler David, a Vietnam veteran from Caribou, Maine. Swipe ⬅️ to see Ira all grown up as an official guide dog!
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David can already feel the difference with Ira at his side. "The absolute biggest thing for me is that I have independence again. For the first time in years, I can go Christmas shopping for my wife completely on my own. He’s opened doors and opportunities for me too."
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David remembers a particularly sweet highlight from training, "One of the best moments during training happened on a day we were working in the mall. Being able to stand up next to my wife and hold her hand as we walked – that was a huge, huge thing for us. It was enormously special."
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A special thanks to Robin Liberty, Ira's volunteer puppy raiser from our Eastern Massachusetts Puppy Raising Region (@guidingeyes_ema). She sent us this lovely write-up about her experience raising Ira: "To say that raising Ira was life-changing would not be an over-statement. His nickname amongst my region team was 'Sweet Boy Ira' and he was my best friend. He brought me out of my shell as he drew curiosity and wonder wherever we went. Every afternoon became an adventure because there was no outing he wouldn’t try(and excel at). Together, we visited festivals, hit a theme park, and cruised the mall. He was fearless, curious, and kept me on my toes. I am so proud that he is fulfilling his destiny of providing independence to someone with low vision. To the new team, I wish many years of happiness and bold adventures. May he bring you as much joy as he brought me."
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Read more about David and Ira by clicking the link in our bio.
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Picture Description:
[1] Ira is pictured as an adorable puppy while wearing a light blue pup on program bandana.
[2] David & Ira’s official graduation photo: David stands in the grass with Ira in a sit by his side.
📷 [1]: @trainer.in.training
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#GuidingEyesForTheBlind #MansBestFriend #GoodNewsFeed #ForTheLoveOfDogs #CharityTuesday #GoodNewsTues #ServiceDogsOfInstagram #DogsOfNewEngland #DogsOfMaine #AssistanceDogs

On Tuesday, we welcomed Brenda Kane and Sarah Tann

On Tuesday, we welcomed Brenda Kane and Sarah Tanner from the @rfthriftshop to our Yorktown Heights Training School for a check presentation and campus tour. Brenda and Sarah also enjoyed a guide dog training demonstration on the nature path with Jolene Hollister, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor Team Lead & Director of the Running Guides Program, and Expo, a future guide dog in our Specialized Training Program.
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Thank you to Brenda, Sarah, and the entire Ridgefield Thrift Shop team for your generous support of our mission and guide dogs.
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PS: We were tickled to learn that this wasn't Brenda's first time on the Guiding Eyes campus - she and her family volunteered as puppy raisers for us 40 years ago!
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Picture Descriptions:
[1] Brenda and Sarah present an oversized check to Rana Liebert, Foundation Relations Officer, and Sara Heza, Development Specialist. The group is joined by Jolene Hollister and guide dog Expo, a black and tan German Shepherd. The group poses in front of the main entrance steps beside a statue of a standing guide dog.
[2] Jolene works guide dog Expo on the nature path. Expo guides Jolene around an obstacle of cones and red and white striped tape while Brenda and Rana observe at a distance.
[3] Expo looks happily toward the camera while standing out of harness beside Jolene while she answers questions for our guests.
[4] Expo happily relaxes after the training demonstration with his head on the lap of his trainer, Jolene.
📷: @zoeandthepeach
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#RidgefieldThriftShop #GermanShepherdGuideDog #GuideDogTraining #ShepherdsOfIG #GuidingEyesDog #CommunityMatters #NonProfitLife #RidgefieldCT #YorktownHeights #AssistanceDogTraining #YorktownHeightsNY #GuideDogsOfInsta #GuideDogInTraining #ServiceDogTraining

We are thrilled to share that Guiding Eyes was sel

We are thrilled to share that Guiding Eyes was selected for the @HSN Cares $1K A Day Giveaway! Not only will we receive a $1,000 donation from HSN, but HSN is also matching customer donations throughout the month of April through their Partners in Giving Community Giving page - up to an additional HSN donation of $5,000 (with a maximum match of $1,000 per transaction).
Please note: donations must be made through their fundraising website to count towards the match. Don't wait - Click the link in our bio to take advantage of this generous offer!
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Picture Description: Black lab guide dog Cleo sits on the sidewalk and poses for a photo during a break from training. Cleo wears a blue @ruffwear UniFly guide dog harness.
Photo Credit: @mb_heady
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#LoveHSN #HSNCares #WorkingDogsOfIG #LabsOfTheUSA #GuidingEyesForTheBlind #GuideDogsOfInsta #RespectTheVest #GuideDogs #ServiceDogsOfInsta #WorkingDog #AssistanceDog #BlackLab_Features #WorkingLabrador #LabradorableLabs #GuideDogsOfIG

"Stan is more than a guide dog; he’s a beautiful

"Stan is more than a guide dog; he’s a beautiful spirit that has transformed my life, empowering me to be more independent." -Sam and guide dog Stan
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Meet this week's Transformation Tuesday featured pup, an adorable yellow lab named Stan! Stan is the first guide dog for handler Sam. The team recently graduated in March through our home training program. Sam can already feel the difference of traveling with Stan by his side: "He has given me a sense of liberation, so now I feel I can function in a far more ‘able’ way. I can walk normally again, as I did when I had vision, and am far more relaxed when traveling. I can’t imagine life without him now."
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Stan holds a special significance to his two volunteer puppy raisers, Michelle Russell and Yfke Havinga, since the pair teamed up to raise Dax, Stan's dad. Michelle and her family gave Stan a wonderful foundation as his "starter" raiser in our New Hampshire Puppy Raising Region. After four months, Stan then moved into the Fingerlakes Puppy Raising Region with Yfke as his "finishing" raiser.
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Yfke remembers just how much Stan would rise to the challenge for each and every outing: "Stan was a rock-star during every outing and showed a passion for working that I had never seen before. During our last day together, we ventured into NYC where he showed off his skills in the challenging environments of Times Square, the subway, and MoMA. Stan was 'on fire' that day and I vividly remember smiling the entire time, because all of our hard work had paid off. He is the goofiest, smartest, and tallest Labrador I know, and his handler will be sure to smile every day with Stan in his life."
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Click the link in our bio to read more about Sam and Stan.
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Picture Descriptions:
[1] Yellow lab Stan is pictured as an adorable puppy posing near the woods.
[2] Sam & Stan’s official graduation photo. Sam sits on the front porch steps with Stan in a down beside him.
Credit [1]: @effiehav / @geb_lancelot_stan
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#ForTheLoveOfDogs #GuideDogs #WeDontDeserveDogs #GuideDogsOfInstagram #ILoveLabradors #ServiceDogsOfInstagram #GuidingEyes #AssistanceDogsOfInstagram #GuideDogPuppy #InspiredByDogs #GuideDog #FromPuppyToGuideDog

Happy National Puppy Day! Today is a celebration o

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