We’re excited to share that Guiding Eyes puppy raiser Jerry Burns was recently featured in Business Insider, where he shared how volunteering with Guiding Eyes has brought purpose, routine, and community to his retirement.
Read the full story and learn more about Jerry’s experience here.
After 53 years as a business owner, Jerry retired at age 72 and began looking for a meaningful way to spend his time. A lifelong dog lover, he started volunteering with Guiding Eyes and eventually became involved in our Puppy Raising Program.
Today, Jerry is raising Geneva, a German Shepherd who is preparing for the possibility of becoming a guide dog. Raising a future guide dog is an important commitment, and Jerry has embraced the experience, helping Geneva build the skills and confidence she’ll need as she continues her journey.
In the Business Insider feature, Jerry shares how puppy raising has given him the sense of purpose and structure he was looking for in retirement, while also connecting him with a community of fellow volunteers and a mission that means so much to him.
We’re grateful to Jerry for sharing his story and for the important role he plays in helping prepare future guide dogs to one day make a life-changing difference for people with vision loss.
…I first started thinking about volunteer work. I knew I wanted a sense of purpose in the next phase of my life.
Jerry Burns, Puppy Raiser, Westchester County Region
