Susie Wilcox and "puppy" Skye, a 16 month old Lab, have a close relationship. Susie has been a volunteer with the Upstate Guide Dog organization for the past ten years; Skye is her sixth puppy to be trained to help a blind person. The organization is trying to set up an obedience school on the westside of the county at St. John's Church in Spencerport. To accomplish this, four other students besides Susie are needed. A student needs to commit to a 12-18 month program to properly train a dog. Vet care and training are provided by the group, which has placed over 256 dogs with blind people in western New York state (at no cost to the blind person). Photograph by Walter Horylev. (This photo was created in November).

Parma family raises seeing eye dogs for Upstate Guide Dogs

The Wilcox family of Parma has been raising puppies to be trained as seeing eye dogs for the last ten years. They experienced their first "graduation" and dedication of one of their guide dogs in Honeoye Falls on December 13.

"The experience was awesome and many tears were shed," says puppy raiser Susie Wilcox. Her husband, Art, and children, Ellen and Tracey, have trained more than six puppies in the last ten years on a volunteer basis through the Upstate Guide Dog Association.

Volunteers work with puppies bred through the Upstate Guide Dog Association and are trained through their host "families" for approximately 14 months. This training includes involving the dog in everyday life. The puppies are taught to sit, stand, stay and heel. They must learn how to act in the community, without being distracted, such as sitting quietly at a restaurant or concert.

The host family must attend obedience classes twice a month as well as a monthly outing. Upstate's headquarters are located in Bloomfield, so the Wilcox family has had to do a lot of traveling. However, St. John's Church in Spencerport has agreed to let Upstate use their facility to hold obedience classes providing they have at least four families interested.

After the puppy is finished training with a host family, the dog is harness trained for six months at Upstates' facility. The dog is then "home-trained" with the recipient for approximately two to three weeks. The home-based training provides handlers the opportunities to work in the recipients' environment so that the dog will be trained on what routes and routines the student follows.

Much time is spent on basic skills required for safe travel, such as curb work, street crossing and turns. The dog must learn door, stair and escalator procedures, as well as public transportation modes. After the home training is complete, there is a three-month follow up service to help with any problems.

The Wilcox family is currently raising a yellow lab that will be a breading dog for Upstate. "Oakley" was another yellow lab that was placed in September. Oakley graduated with his brother, "Victor," who was sponsored by the Victor Lions Club. The ceremony was a culmination of all the hard work of the graduates, puppy raisers, volunteers and staff and board members. It was the first time the Wilcox's were able to meet the recipient.

"The graduation made the full circle complete," said Susie. "When Oakley spotted my daughter Ellen, he got so excited that the blind person knew immediately who we were."

Elizabeth Folwell, who is a contributing editor for "Adirondack Life" magazine, was the proud recipient of Oakley. She gave a speech on how thankful she was, and presented a plaque to the Wilcox family.

Upstate Guide Dogs is a nonprofit organization; it relies on grants, donations and fund-raisers. There is no charge for the recipient of a guide dog. Dogs may also be sponsored for $5,000, which allows the sponsor to name the dog.

For information on becoming a puppy raiser, contact Glenna Godown, Director of Puppy Services at 315-986-3160. For all other volunteer services, contact Joy and Mike Koziol, volunteer coordinators, at 585-657-4140. For upcoming events and fundraisers, check the website at www.ugda.org.