Tammy, the guide dog, is pictured with her new owner Kamil Fulwood and with Don and Ann Lowe.

Spencerport family raises guide dog puppy

The Lowe family, volunteer puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, have just seen their puppy graduate as a full-fledged guide dog. Tammy, a yellow female labrador retriever, had been with the Lowe family since she was eight weeks old. Now fully trained to be part of a Guiding Eyes team, Tammy is a working guide dog with Kamil Fulwood in New York, NY.

The Guiding Eyes Puppy Raising program is comprised of approximately 500 puppy raisers from Maine to North Carolina. 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 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 Don and Ann's home, Tammy was provided with 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.

It costs approximately $40,000 to match a Guiding Eyes dog with a blind partner but, there is no cost to the graduate. Funded solely by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations, Guiding Eyes is able to cover all costs. 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.guidingeyesbcweb.org.

November 13, 2005