I must blame it all on my English Professor.

It all began with his request for a Thesis for our term paper. Being the type of person who prefers to write about social issues, and one who also loves animals, the idea for my thesis "Society’s Acceptance of the Disabled: With and Without Service Animals" led me into a whole new experience. Had he not given us a term paper, I never would have gotten myself into this! I never would have experienced the excitement of seeing them for the first time; of holding their tiny bodies so warm and full of life or smelling that sweetness only found in a newborns breath. I never would have felt the apprehension as we potty trained our little darling and cleaned up the "oops’s". I never would have watched with pride and awe as our bundle of joy took his first tentative steps outside in the big, bad world; entering grocery stores and restaurants, airports and malls - crowded with people, all wanting to caress this energetic youngster.

And yes, I have experienced all the preceeding - an much, much more. As a Puppy Raiser - and there are so many of these dedicated folks out there, we take of ourselves and give to make life better for those who cannot see or are maybe physically limited in some way. We donate our time and our hearts to these pups, so carefully bred and selected to represent the Schools from where they come. We have all heard "how can you give them back?" I never could do that, but we just reply "it gets easier". Ha, who are we kidding?

In 1993 my husband and I were introduced to Puppy Raising by becoming members of the Orlando, FL Puppy Raisers for Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. The call came out of the blue - I had all but forgotten I placed an application! Of course we jumped on the chance, and on August 25th. 1993, we received our first little bundle of joy, named Weston.

Weston is a Yellow Labrador Retriever, and as our first "pup in training" (or affectionately "guide dog wannabe") we were so concerned about "doing it right", that we forgot a basic unspoken rule and fell immediately in love with him! I will never forget when Mike and I had Weston in a Dance Club with us, and as the floor turned, Weston picked himself up and out onto the floor - never hesitating, but stepped right over that revolving floor! Weston was a very laid back puppy! He took everything in stride, ready to learn whatever was put to him. We were very fortunate that our Doby, Prancer was around to assist us in rearing this pup!

I will never forget that day in June 1994, when our Area Coordinator called and told us that "T-Day" had arrived. "T-Day" - aka Turn-in Day - the day that Puppy Raisers wish would take FOREVER to arrive! Mike and I went out that night after Weston was turned in, but it felt so WEIRD! All we could talk about was Weston! Several months passed, and in October 1994, we received the call from Julie, the Southeastern Puppy Raiser Director, that Weston had been matched and would be "graduating" with his new companion on November 4th, 1994. OUR BABY HAD PASSED! HE WAS NOW A WORKING GUIDE DOG! Weston is now working, spending his winters up North and summers in sunny Florida. The last that we heard, was on Weston’s first day in his new home, he was given a very LARGE paper bag of new toys, and he was busy choming away on them, and claiming the foyer rug as "his"…

Just like volunteering as a Puppy Raiser takes a lot of thought and commitment; those dedicated and caring folks who spend countless hours building the foundations of the Schools do the same. The dream begins and they put it to work. They spend endless hours putting their hearts and souls into turning a tiny puppy into the hopes and dreams of an unsighted person. It is a continuous loop, from the Birthing Kennels, where volunteers go in and "puppy hug"; to the Foster Puppy Program when 8 to 12 week old puppies are placed into the arms of a Puppy Raiser. From the loving homes of Puppy Raisers to the dedication of the School trainers who spend hour after hour working with the 14 to 16 month old puppy - teaching commands necessary for the final product - a working Guide Dog Team.