Before learning to guide those who are visually impaired, the dogs first need to learn how to be confident and well-behaved.
STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine — Before guide dogs go off to training, they first need to learn good manners.
There are about 20 guide dog “raisers” doing just that here in Maine for Guiding Eyes, a New York based nonprofit.
Raisers foster and train hopeful guide dogs from about eight weeks old until the dogs reach a year and a half. After that, the dogs graduate and go to “college” as Pat Webber calls it.
Webber has been raising guide dogs since 1991 and is currently raising her 22nd dog. The focus during this stage of the dog’s education is focused on manners, socialization, and building confidence.
“I like to think about it as looking at the world with a, ‘Hey, what’s that? Rather than a, ‘Uh oh, what’s that?'” Webber said, describing her philosophy for a balance of confidence and curiosity.
The goal is that by the time the dog moves on, it is familiar and comfortable with most situations a visually impaired person may need their dog to experience.
Even with three decades of experience, Webber says she is impressed by what her dogs go on to do.
“The level of problem solving they have to do, it’s pretty amazing,” she said. “And to know I’ve been a part of that, is hugely rewarding.”
Webber gathered fellow raisers in the Belfast area to host a showcase on Sunday with the plan to demystify the training process and show off the dogs’ skills.
Pat Curley attended the showcase and while she has watched many of her friends and neighbors raise guide dogs, she is continuously impressed.
“But to be able to know to look up, to stop ahead of time, to back up immediately, I think it’s just amazing,” Curley said, in awe of how aware the dogs must be to guide.
Training a dog for over a year can create a strong bond. Sherry Baron is training her second pup and says that when she sent off her first, she sent a piece of her heart with him.
However, she sees the work as a fun and rewarding way to help others.
“You know, we do manners and socialization; we don’t do the big steps, but our steps that we take make a huge difference in the dog’s life and get them where they need to be,” Baron said.
To learn more about raising, volunteer or learn how to give, visit Guiding Eyes’ website.
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