Dogs for the blind

[Aspen and Misty]

My birthday was Sunday May 12. I asked my parents to allow me to get a puppy to train for the guide dog program (dog walker). I was told on my birthday that I would be able to. I am looking for an organization that is close to Williamsport PA. So far me and my family have been unable to find one. I am hopeing some of you might know of some good places around here or and place I coudl go to find an organization close to us. Please Help.

Ashley

[Fuzzy317]

I found this site, may give some of the info you are looking for.
Guide Dogs (http://www.guidedogs.com/)

[delidog]

contact the dodge estate...morristown, n.j.

that is the leading facility for guide dog training in the n.e.

[Fuzzy317]

This one just turned up on search.
Leader Dogs for the Blind (http://www.leaderdog.org/)

[Fuzzy317]

More sites

American Council of the Blind (http://www.acb.org/ )

National Federation of the Blind (http://www.nfb.org/ )

Blinded Veterans Association (http://www.bva.org/ )

National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (http://www.loc.gov/nls/ )

Lions Clubs International (http://www.lionsclubs.org/ )

American Federation for the Blind (http://www.afb.org/default.asp )

[Aspen and Misty]

I looked at all your sites. Most of them either didn't have the information I wanted or they weren't for Pennsylvania. Thank you for your help any way. Some of the websites gave me some good insight about guide dogs. Thank you for all your help and for takeing the time to help me out. If there are any more websites that you come across, can you please post them?

Thanx,
Ashley

[Fuzzy317]

Guiding Eyes Homepage (http://www.guiding-eyes.org/)

I found an address of another:

Independence Dogs, Inc.
146 State Line Road,
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
610-358-2723 Phone
610-358-5314 Fax

[Corinna]

The best way to get in to the programs is to join a dog training group or the 4-h program Somr of the programs only let someone in if they are part of one of the former groups. We had 6 different dogs in my 4-h group as a kid only one didn't make it he developed a hip problem.
Be prepared for a very emotional time it is hard to have a dog for 6-9 months and be as close as you have to be , and then have to give it back and not know how it is doing until the last part of it's training. Most trainers get invited for the graduation of the team. (new owner and the dog) it is very stressful on a person.
I'm not tring to discourage you but a lot of people have no Idea of the emotional effect it can have.
I was going to try it but decided I would rescue and reabiltae instead It was less of a stress couse I was in charge not any one else. Lots of things can happen to cause dogs to not make it. Think hard and visit with others whom have do it first . Then if you and your family can see yourselves being able to do it Go for it. It is a family project as all have to be involved. Good Luck!

[Dixieland Dancer]

Paws with a Cause is located in Michigan. It is a 5 hour drive from Pittsburgh if you want to check them out.

Here is the link

Paws with a Cause (http://www.pawswithacause.org/)

[Aspen and Misty]

I used to have a dog named Tiffany. We were so close. I loved her more then anything else. I had to give her up after just 2 short months with her. I spent every moment with her and she slept under my pillow at night. We were inseprable. Because of this I know I cna give up the dog. I have talked to a club who hooked me up with a puppy walker and I was able to email her. She said it hard but it is worth it to see your dog graduate. Thank you for the links. Please keep them comeing!