Special Dogs Seeking Foster Homes

By Kendra Bobowick

The Guiding Eyes For The Blind organization’s dogs literally lead the way to a lifestyle of greater independence for the blind. The group relies on a series of programs from Breeding, Whelping, Early/Home Socialization, Puppy Raising, the Brood/Stud Program and more to contribute to its trained companions.

Guiding Eyes is preparing for an open house introducing its Brood/Stud Program on November 4 beginning at 1:30 pm at the Canine Development Center in Patterson, N.Y. The organization seeks brood and stud fosters who are “carefully chosen individuals and families who live locally — within 1½ hours (broods) or 1 hour (studs) of our Canine Development Center in Patterson, NY,” according to the website, cdc.guidingeyes.org.

Guests attending the open house will learn about the Brood/Stud Program for the dogs, which is the organization’s “large active breeding colony of exceptional dogs [that] are carefully selected and bred to produce the next generation of guide dogs,” also stated on the website, cdc.guidingeyes.org/bin/bsfoster.

Program Manager Vikki Iwanicki explained what the dogs will need from their foster homes.

“The foster commits to providing a loving and permanent home for a member of our breeding colony,” she said. “The family is committed to a lifetime with the dog.” The Guiding Eyes organization provides training and veterinary care for the duration of the pet’s breeding career, she said. The dogs, traditionally Labrador and golden retrievers and some German shepherds, have to be house dogs.

She stressed, “These aren’t dogs that stay overnight in the garage. They are bred to be with people and must be indoor dogs.” The brood or stud also needs exercise — roughly three miles each day.

“That keeps them at their target weight,” Ms Iwanicki said. “An overweight dog, either male or female, could have complications.” The dogs are bred and Guiding Eyes cares for the litter, she explained. In addition, “The dog comes to us to have puppies.” Foster pet owners are welcome to follow the puppies through their training to become Guiding Eyes dogs, she said.

Animals in the Brood/Stud Program are prepared to go to homes where other family pets — dogs or cats — and children are living, she explained. “They have excellent temperaments and are great for families with children who can learn about giving back to the community,” she said.

Ms Iwanicki discussed the brief, roughly hourlong open house as an informative afternoon where guests can speak with a foster program coordinator and foster dog owners, tour the facility and meet some of the dogs. Guests will also learn one more piece of information critical to the program’s success.

They can find out details and “understand if this is something they would like to pursue,” Ms Iwanicki said.

Guide dogs offer “independence and mobility to the visually impaired,” she stressed. “Now that person can move freely without relying on neighbors, mom, friends, to get somewhere.”

Patterson is approximately 45 minutes from Newtown just beyond Danbury. Visit the website at cdc.guidingeyes.org for more information. Guests are welcome to attend, but an RSVP would be appreciated, said Ms Iwanicki. Contact the organization at 866-432-5227.

See related article about a current foster volunteer and her dog, Fable, this issue.