Area family raises guide dog puppy

The Chait family, volunteer puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, has had its puppy graduate as a full-fledged guide dog. Eli, a yellow male labrador retriever, has been with the Chait family since he was eight-weeks-old. Now fully trained to be part of a Guiding Eye team, Eli is fulfilling his potential as a working guide dog with Krista Anderson in Hollan, MI.

The Guiding Eyes Puppy Raising program is comprised of approximately 500 puppy raisers from Main to North Carolina. These caring, dedicated people are the "heart and soul" of the Guiding Eyes program. Puppy raisers nurture the young pups and familiarize them with everyday situations. Raisers are provided the necessary training and support from a volunteer area coordinator. After a year and a half, puppy raisers return the dogs to Guiding Eyes for evaluation. Dogs that pass their tests begin formal training with Guiding Eyes guide dog instructors. After four to six months of training, the dogs have learned to assist their future blind partner in traveling safely and with more confidence.

Living in the Chait home, Eli was provided with many different opportunities for socialization, including visits to shopping malls, train stations and restaurants. It takes a great deal of commitment to raise a Guiding Eyes puppy but, as Cindy said, "I knew from the beginning that Eli was one very special puppy and I am very proud of him and all he has accomplished."

It costs approximately $40,000 to match a Guiding Eyes dog with a blind partner but, there is no cost to the graduate. For information on raising a Guiding Eyes puppy, contact Guiding Eyes for the Blind at 1 (866) GEB-LABS or visit their website at www.cdc.guidingeyes.org.

September 10, 2006