Running the “big race”: Cindy Lou and Crystal

Cindy Lou Altman and yellow Labrador, Crystal, graduated as a guide dog team in February of this year. Seven months later, these experienced runners were participating in the Philadelphia Distance Run, 5K race. You can read the article or listen to the audio about Cindy Lou, Crystal and the Philly Distance Run at this link from KYW newsradio.

Guide dog Crystal was trained in Guiding Eyes’ Running Guide Program, the only program of its kind in the world. These extensively tested and trained dogs enable blind people to run with their guide dog. Runners with vision loss no longer have to rely on human guides or be limited to the treadmill.

Cindy Lou has a strong connection to Guiding Eyes that goes beyond receiving three guide dogs since 2015. As a young woman, she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and long before becoming a guide dog handler, she became involved in the Puppy Raising Program, as both a sitter and a raiser. She spoke to Guiding Eyes at the time of her graduation in 2024:

When I lived in Vermont, I met a puppy raiser with a little black lab that was so well-behaved. The puppy raiser suggested we go to a graduation together. I saw the independence these dogs give to their handlers but wasn’t ready. I didn’t know if I’d be ‘giving in’ to my eye disease by getting help. Then I realized that Guiding Eyes was going to help me fight it and be more independent and confident. I went on to become a raiser, starting several puppies and finishing one, too. I was a puppy sitter coordinator, and I’ve had about 17-18 different dogs come through my house. It was a no-brainer to come to Guiding Eyes for a guide dog.” Cindy Lou Altman

Guiding Eyes commends Cindy Lou and Crystal for leading an active, confident and independent life together! We proudly admire their partnership as a guide dog team and congratulate them for running the 5K in Philadelphia!

Learn more about Cindy Lou and Crystal on their Graduate Team blog post on GuidingEyes.org.