Have you ever dreamed of making a lasting impact while sharing your life with an adorable puppy? As a Future Leader Dog puppy raiser, you can do exactly that. Every year, dedicated volunteers spend 12-15 months nurturing and training puppies that will go on to become invaluable guide dogs for individuals who are blind – ... Read more The post Change Lives: Become a Future Leader Dog Puppy Raiser appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

To introduce myself: My name is Sarah Duyck, I am an orientation and mobility (O&M) and field service representative, DeafBlind, at Leader Dogs for the Blind. However, that is an extremely new title for me. Today’s my first day! I am a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) and have been a member of the DeafBlind ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry (and Sarah) – Phoenix, Arizona appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day One I’m flying with the other airline today, so I don’t have high hopes. I’m seated near the back of the cattle car—I mean, cabin—next to two folks who don’t look happy to see me. As I put my tray table down, I realize I’ve managed to rip my pants. Not a tiny tear, ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – North Carolina appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day one I flew into Pittsburg, an airport I really enjoy. It’s a small airport representing a big city. Major flights without the major hassle. I’m on my way to Clarksburg, West Virginia to work with Kris, who I first contacted in May about coming out to see him. It’s a beautiful drive down through ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – West Virginia appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day One I flew into Philadelphia, picked up my rental car and set the GPS for my drive out to Morrisville, Philadelphia, which is just across the river from Trenton, New Jersey.  I’ve only been to Philadelphia one other time many years ago. I took a train trip down the East Coast to see some ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – Morrisville, PA appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day One I traveled from Minneapolis to Chicago on Saturday, got the rental car and on to the hotel. I barely took any time to look around as I was a bit tired of being on the go. Also, the Razorbacks are playing down to their competition, so I really need to get in front ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – Elgin, Illinois appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day Zero I started this trip a little early this time. I went out to West Texas to visit my mom who had a little surgery. I love my extended family and cherish the time I get to spend with them. My cousin Shana works at a meat market, and they make the best jerky. ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – Wisconsin appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

My full circle experience Hi everyone! I’m Chelsea, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences as a veterinary extern at Leader Dogs for the Blind. My connection to this organization is both personal and professional, and it’s been a rewarding journey so far. From Leader Dog’s involvement in my family to my current role as ... Read more The post My Veterinary Externship at Leader Dog appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

Day one I started this trip a week early. I’m traveling back-to-back weeks this time because I’m scheduling around my son’s water polo games. I’ll miss some games, which I hate, but I’ll miss fewer if I do it this way. So I was in Michigan last week, at the Mother Ship. I only go ... Read more The post On the Road with Barry – Iowa appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more

The journey to becoming a Leader Dog is as much about exposure and experience as it is about training. Leader Dog puppy counselors organize puppy class outings to give both the puppies and raisers new experiences to help make them more successful. About twice a year puppy groups will visit a local firehouse, where these ... Read more The post Preparing Leader Dogs for Emergency Environments: Puppy Raising Group Outing appeared first on Leader Dogs for the Blind ..read more