Comments about ‘5 students graduate guide-dogs-to-be’

Dogs usually lose every battle
People are not able to see the love dogs give to human ? beings.
Utah is a major violater against companion animals
Gods one great gift to Man and Children.

Just love it when people post enigmatic opinions which make no sense. A guide dog lives one of the best lives given to dogs. Dogs love to work and to be with their owners. And what exactly is it that Utah does to companion animals?

My wife has been socializing dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind for the past four years, and it has been a good experience for our family. I am not a "dog guy" (I really hate all the dog hair) but I have to say that I have enjoyed having the dogs in our home. It's really tough when they are puppies, but it's wonderful to watch them grow and develop.
In our experience, only about one in ten dogs make it all the way through the training. It's tough to be a guide dog! But the ones who don't make it are "career changed" and end up serving many other useful purposes such as therapy dogs, companion dogs, or pets. If you are considering doing this, be prepared for A LOT of work, but you will likely enjoy it. By the way, some of the very best socializers are young men and women like the ones featured in this article. They seem to have a knack for working with the dogs.

This is a beautiful, touching story. Great training for these children as they learn to contribute to society in a meaningful way. I admire people who invest their time in high quality programs like this. Keep up the fantastic work!

Thank you for your comment. I totally agree. The children/teenager grow up to be an asset to society rather than a liability.

Anne Dansie. Just think though that what you've been doing is a huge step forward for a blind person who is going to have Moses. Keep up the good work...

I just wanted to give the youth raisers in the higschool program a big thumbs up and pat on the back. I've raised 3 dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and am also a youth raiser, and it's a lot of work. Way to go guys, and love your new babies this fall! Now you know the full cycle baby to mature dog, and you can really see what it's all about. :) Remember--what happens here forward is up to the dog. You've done your best, now it's up to him/her to choose its career!!

the raiser and the dogs (Arturo (career changed dog), Lawrence (in advanced training--phase 9, and Pomona still in-training)

I am raising my 5th guide dog puppy and I will continue to do this as long as I am able. What a heart warming moment when we meet the blind handler that gets the puppy we spent 14 months raising. Our dogs never forget us. They become a warm spot in our hearts and we will never forget them either.
Raiser of Wispy (guide dog), Farrah (guide dog), Hope (career changed because of car sickness), Gardenia (guide dog), and new puppy, 5 month old Ivory.

I recieved my first guide dog from GDB about 5 years ago, and cant thank these hard working teens for mentoring dogs for folks like me. Working with my guide, Paisley, has brought me more freedom than I could ever imagine. Everyday I am so grateful to people like the high schoolers who raise a puppy to be a steady guide. You have made many, many people with vision impairment lives all the more richer for your hard work and dedication. I cant thank you enough!
Peace -
Nancy and Paisley

I'm also a teen puppy raiser and I can say from experiance that raising has taught me a sense of responsibility, helped me learn to interact with other people and with people who have disabilities...having these pups has also helped me become more confidant and sure of myself; I'm currently raising my third puppy and I'm loving it!

Anne, the love captured in your eyes as you encircle your arms around Moses telegraphs much about your goodness. Your love, your sacrifice shared now travels to better another. How wonderful this is. How grand it is when this kind of caring is shown. I am so very proud of you. Sometimes dear, that which we love and that which loves us so very much is only with us for a short time. The good news is, this love never really dims. I am certain that your handprint will forever be found upon the heart of Moses and I am just as certain his paw print will forever be found upon your heart. I know something about handprint upon hearts, Anne Elizabeth. They never fade once placed. Distance cannot lesson them nor can absence fade them. Dare to believe that all that love you freely shared with Moses, Willy, your first dog and with so many others, is passed forward to bless many. There is a lot of love in this world and a great deal of it you have sent out in your young life. One day some, once shared, will return back to a wonderful caring young lady.

Hi, I have a question for people that is involved in the training of guide dogs/people that are visually impaired. I've recently opened my home and heart to a blind couple. They have beautifull dogs, and I understand the non-petting, and how they behave etc. Last Sunday, I went for a walk, with my dog, and asked them if they wanted to join - they agreed, and said I must just walk ahead and the guide dogs will follow. The guide dogs followed perfectly, except when there are branches overhanging in the street - the dog can walk underneath it, but the branches was in the way of the blind person. He was quite upset with the guide dog not going around the tree - and said that she would normally do it, and it is unacceptable. Could the fact that the dog is told to follow us change the way it behaves - making it less aware of cars/obstacles, and being less alert - because they are only 'following'?

To Christo, and any othera wondering. While our guides are exceptional beings, sometimes mistakes are made. Both members of the team will usually learn from these mistakes. The handlers job is to be consistent, fair, and calm. Always firm, but also benevolent. While training at Guide Dogs for the Blind, we were told not to use "follow" too much. Reason being, is that the dogs may start to think it is allright to do this on a regular basis. Also, some guides can be very distracted by other canines who are too close. In closing, I would encourage everyone to look into raising. You can participate in the enrichment to someones life which is profound, to say the least...

GDB grads,
Seth & Bamboo.