August is National Dog Month! Let’s celebrate the exceptional dogs we love and respect, and the wonderful bond between humans and canines that makes our partnerships shine.
At Guiding Eyes, the connection between humans and dogs is our cornerstone. It starts from the moment our puppies are born, with gentle massage for the littlest ones and a focus on their socialization in the following weeks. Our Puppy Raisers utilize STEP, a relationship-based program that incorporates various real-life rewards to promote a strong spirit of cooperation and willingness in pups as they learn. Local volunteer foster families welcome our exceptional breeding dogs into their homes, providing a loving and healthy environment, and a variety of dedicated volunteers tenderly do their part along the way, as well.
During the training process, training staff develop a relationship with their dogs in training through a healthy balance of work and play. The dogs are taught the concepts of guide work in small steps, and the trust established encourages the gradual advancement of skills in various environments and situations.
And then there are the individuals who place their trust in Guiding Eyes. Those with vision loss come to us for a dependable and highly skilled guide dog. Their Guide Dog Mobility Instructors work to instill confidence and strengthen the bond between the guide dog and its handler, promoting greater independence. Guiding Eyes graduates develop a strong bond with their guide dogs, who not only support increased independence and confidence but also provide love and companionship.
We hope you will consider supporting Guiding Eyes this month, to celebrate the human-dog bond that makes our work so extraordinary!