The Seeing Eye

"I know I'm contributing to a cause that will significantly improve a visually-impaired person's life," said 10-year-old Seeing Eye puppy raiser Mackenzie. In a new article by USA TODAY, Mackenzie and other guide dog puppy raisers discuss the importance of the volunteer program. Be sure to check out the full story at https://lnkd.in/esuF3HBr Interested in becoming a Seeing Eye puppy raiser or sitter like Mackenzie? Learn more at seeingeye.org/raise PD: Mackenzie stands with Korlette, a black Lab wearing a Seeing Eye puppy-raising program vest and a Virginia Tech bandana, at Virginia Tech's campus.

Yes, chef. ???? Did you know that at The Seeing Eye, we have a dining room and dining staff who provide three delicious homecooked meals each day for our students in class? We want our students free to focus on training with their Seeing Eye dogs while they are with us, so having professionals who can provide excellent meals is crucial. We are so thankful to our dining staff for their hard work and all the wonderful meals they prepare! PD: Seeing Eye cook Jorge smiles in the kitchen while holding a plate of hand-rolled stromboli.

You’ve got mail! ?? Our new holiday cards and 2025 puppy calendar are available to purchase today at https://lnkd.in/duNzR_wA Make a loved one's day a little brighter this holiday season by sending along one of these amazing cards or a calendar. PD: Text reads, “Pick Your Holiday Mail” above the images of the three Seeing Eye holiday cards and 2024 Puppy Calendar, which are individually labeled “A. Morris & Buddy Cards; B. Holiday Cards; C. Christmas Cards; D. 2025 Puppy Calendar”. The first holiday card features a black and white photo of Seeing Eye co-founder Morris Frank and Buddy entering a home with an armful of presents; the second has a collage of Seeing Eye puppies in snowy scenes and the text "Happy Pawlidays!"; the third features a black Lab/golden retriever cross wearing a red bow around his neck. The cover of the puppy calendar features a German shepherd puppy sitting before a flower sculpture in the shape of New Jersey.

We love the USA and recognize on this Veterans Day, all the military veterans who have dedicated their lives to our country. Since 1941, we have ensured that all veterans pay only $1 to receive a Seeing Eye dog. PD: A leashed black Lab wearing a red, white, and blue bowtie and a bobble headband that reads, “I ?? The USA” sits on a wooden deck with a small American flag in his mouth. #VeteransDay

Hot off the presses! Our newest edition of The Guide has been released in Word, PDF, and audio versions and is now available to read at https://lnkd.in/dQUtJp4v The Fall Guide welcomes Karen Leies as The Seeing Eye’s new President & CEO and covers the 95th Anniversary Gala, Family Day, and much more. Be sure to check it out today! PD: Text surrounding the cover of The Guide and its articles about Peggi Howard, Karen Leies, and Family Day reads, “The Guide – The Fall 2024 Guide: Out Now”

It's Election Day! Remember to vote! PD: A German shepherd in harness sits outside Morristown Town Hall beside a sign that reads “Early Voting ←” #ElectionDay #Vote

Did you know that we try to simulate a variety of experiences for our students in class, including dog distractions? We practice these interactions so our students are fully equipped to work in any environment, including busy sidewalks with pedestrians walking their dogs. If you come across a guide dog team, alert them of your presence and always tell the handler if you have a dog with you. Also, ensure you never let your pet near a guide dog, even if your dog is on a leash. Learn more about why at guidedogatwork.org PD: A Seeing Eye student walks along the sidewalk of Morristown with her yellow Lab Seeing Eye dog. A Seeing Eye instructor walks behind her while a Seeing Eye apprentice instructor moves to walk past the student with a black Lab.

Jim Hughes’s philosophy of life is summed up in the way he ends his emails: “Live Well.” And that he does with the help of Dale, a black Labrador retriever and his fourth Seeing Eye dog. “He’s the sweetest dog I ever had,” says Jim, a resident of Farmingdale, New York. “I jokingly tell people that he has two occupations, guiding me and emotional support for Emily, my 12-year-old daughter.” The photo shows Jim and Dale after taking a long walk. Jim is sitting in a chair, holding Dale’s head, who is looking at the camera. Jim is a recently retired high school history teacher. After one particularly tragic event for the school, Dale proved that puppy love could work wonders. In 2023, a school bus crashed on its way to band camp, killing the band teacher and a chaperone. “The next day, the school community struggled to process the pain. My students and I cried together and sat in silence,” Jim said. “I decided to bring Dale out of my office and into the classroom. I just sat on the floor with him and asked the students if anyone needed puppy love. You would be amazed how Dale’s sweetness and loving nature help them process some of their grief. Boys and girls in the band, football players, and the quietest kids came over and said they would like some puppy love. His presence definitely helped break the silence and got students thinking about something outside of their pain and suffering. From that point forward I received several requests from students for puppy love when they were stressed or simply having a bad day.” #BlindnessAwarenessMonth

Kati Rhea, a police officer from Lexington, Kentucky, was in a vehicle accident in 2017 that left her in a coma for several months. As she was recovering in the hospital, her mother told her she would not regain her sight. “I had to process that for a minute. And finally the first thing I said was: ‘Does this mean I’m getting a dog?’ Everyone had thought I had lost my mind! But that was, honestly, my first response. Because I knew that’s how I would regain my independence.” Less than a year after the accident, Kati was at The Seeing Eye to be matched with George, a sable German shepherd. “I picked up the handle and I said, ‘Forward!’ And that first step, it was just freedom. I knew, in that moment, I was about to get my life back.” Kati had been told she might not bond instantly with her Seeing Eye dog. “But we just clicked. I knew immediately he was not just my partner, but my back-up. This dog will be with be there with me and keep me safe.” George retired in 2023 and since December, Kati has been working with Kail, a black and tan German shepherd. “We live on a 40-acre farm with sheep, horses, donkeys, llamas, other dogs, and George gets to play with them all,” Kati said. “As for Kail, he’s a massive goofball. Until he gets into harness. Then he’s a fantastic worker.” The photo shows Kati on her farm, petting a horse with one hand while holding Kail’s leash with the other.

Only?a few tickets left! ??? We will be hosting our last Walk & Learn program for 2024 tomorrow. If you don't want to miss out on the chance to walk with a Seeing Eye graduate and learn how they and their Seeing Eye dog work together to navigate the busy streets of Morristown, then be sure to secure your spot today at https://lnkd.in/eTqjq3kv PD: An image of a black Lab Seeing Eye dog guiding her handler, captured from the shoulders down, along the sidewalk in downtown Morristown. Text reads, “Walk & Learn with The Seeing Eye – 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Friday, October 25 – seeingeye.org/visit”