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Community Corner

Guiding Eyes for the Blind Now Accepting Foster Volunteers in Putnam County

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, known around the globe as one of the foremost guide dog schools, is now accepting new foster volunteers in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess County for their brood/stud program. The nonprofit has invited residents to open their homes and hearts in a rare opportunity to become a permanent foster to one of Guiding Eyes’ superb breeding dogs. 

For someone without sight, a Guiding Eyes dog is a priceless, life-changing gift providing independence, companionship, and mobility. Foster volunteers come from all walks of life and include couples, families with children, young adults, and senior citizens. They all share a common desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. 

The Barti family of Putnam Valley has experienced firsthand the joy and fulfillment that comes from welcoming a Guiding Eyes stud dog into their home. Dana and John knew that fostering Cosmo would be a great way to teach their three children about the importance of service and giving back.

Foster volunteers in Guiding Eyes’ brood/stud program provide a permanent home for one of the organization’s breed dogs and are entrusted with their health, safety, and wellbeing. All vet care is covered. Fosters receive training in dog handling, care, and obedience. In addition to a loving home environment, foster volunteers also commit to walking their dog at least 3 miles per day.

"My husband is a runner," said Dana Barti. "Cosmo very much looks forward to his runs with John and stalks him whenever he sees the running shoes come out. For me, as someone with lupus, the walks I take with Cosmo not only give me more energy, but also help lessen some of the stiffness and achiness."

The family originally became interested in Guiding Eyes through its Heeling Autism program for their son Adam, who is on the spectrum. "Cosmo is a best friend for Adam," said Barti. "Cosmo grounds him and, although not trained as a Heeling Autism dog, often senses his needs." 

The dogs in Guiding Eyes’ breeding program represent the future of the organization and only the very best are selected to produce subsequent generations of guide dogs. Most breeding colony dogs are between the ages of 16 to 20 months old when placed in a foster home. They are housebroken and have had basic obedience training, but have not been trained as guide dogs. When the time comes for a brood or stud to retire, fosters have the first opportunity to adopt.

“Being a foster family for Guiding Eyes is an amazing experience,” said Barti. "You will be bringing home a dog with great house manners that provides unconditional love. On top of that, seeing one of your grand-puppies graduate and be paired with a person or a child who needs them is a feeling I can't describe.”

Fostering is a special opportunity available only to those who live within an hour and a half of Guiding Eyes’ Canine Development Center in Patterson. This is because the organization’s breed dogs must be brought in periodically for reproduction, healthcare-related visits, and assessments.

Michelle Brier, Guiding Eyes’ director of marketing and communications, notes that, “without the extraordinary dedication of our breeding colony fosters, we would simply be unable to provide guide dogs to the blind and visually impaired.” 

Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Canine Development Center is located at 361 Route 164 in Patterson, NY. To learn more about the brood/stud program, call 1-866-GEB-LABS. Additional information is available online at www.guidingeyes.org/volunteer/brood-stud-program/.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs. In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more info, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.
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