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On the Road with Barry (and Sarah) - Phoenix, Arizona - Leader Dogs for the Blind
To introduce myself: My name is Sarah Duyck, I am an orientation and mobility (O&M) and field service representative, DeafBlind, at Leader Dogs for the Blind. However, that is an extremely new title for me. Today’s my first day! I am a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) and have been a member of the DeafBlind ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - North Carolina - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I’m flying with the other airline today, so I don’t have high hopes. I’m seated near the back of the cattle car—I mean, cabin—next to two folks who don’t look happy to see me. As I put my tray table down, I realize I’ve managed to rip my pants. Not a tiny tear, ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - West Virginia - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day one I flew into Pittsburg, an airport I really enjoy. It’s a small airport representing a big city. Major flights without the major hassle. I’m on my way to Clarksburg, West Virginia to work with Kris, who I first contacted in May about coming out to see him. It’s a beautiful drive down through ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Morrisville, PA - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I flew into Philadelphia, picked up my rental car and set the GPS for my drive out to Morrisville, Philadelphia, which is just across the river from Trenton, New Jersey. I’ve only been to Philadelphia one other time many years ago. I took a train trip down the East Coast to see some ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Elgin, Illinois - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I traveled from Minneapolis to Chicago on Saturday, got the rental car and on to the hotel. I barely took any time to look around as I was a bit tired of being on the go. Also, the Razorbacks are playing down to their competition, so I really need to get in front ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Wisconsin - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day Zero I started this trip a little early this time. I went out to West Texas to visit my mom who had a little surgery. I love my extended family and cherish the time I get to spend with them. My cousin Shana works at a meat market, and they make the best jerky. ... Read more
My Veterinary Externship at Leader Dog - Leader Dogs for the Blind
My full circle experience Hi everyone! I’m Chelsea, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences as a veterinary extern at Leader Dogs for the Blind. My connection to this organization is both personal and professional, and it’s been a rewarding journey so far. From Leader Dog’s involvement in my family to my current role as ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Iowa - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day one I started this trip a week early. I’m traveling back-to-back weeks this time because I’m scheduling around my son’s water polo games. I’ll miss some games, which I hate, but I’ll miss fewer if I do it this way. So I was in Michigan last week, at the Mother Ship. I only go ... Read more
Preparing Leader Dogs for Emergency Environments: Puppy Raising Group Outing - Leader Dogs for the Blind
The journey to becoming a Leader Dog is as much about exposure and experience as it is about training. Leader Dog puppy counselors organize puppy class outings to give both the puppies and raisers new experiences to help make them more successful. About twice a year puppy groups will visit a local firehouse, where these ... Read more
On The Road With Barry - Jacksonville, NC - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day one My client called me yesterday to ask me if I was still coming to Jacksonville. I told him that I was, and not to worry. “Are you sure?” he asked. I told him I was very sure that I already had car, plane and hotel reservations. I was sure. He then told me ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Freeport, FL - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day one I felt weird all day: from the drive to the airport through the drive to Freeport. I’m going to Florida to see Teresa, who’s doing her best to become a more independent traveler, but I didn’t make it to our first day of training. The “feeling weird” turned ugly after I arrived at ... Read more
A Legacy of Success - Leader Dogs for the Blind
By Vijay Joshi KPA CTP, FFCP, Manager of Raiser and Host Experience at Leader Dogs for the Blind There is no question that our Leader Dog Moms (LDM) and Leader Dog Dads (LDD) are incredible dogs. They were each hand picked to continue the Leader Dog mission and pass on ideal traits to the puppies ... Read more
Dog Safety in July - Leader Dogs for the Blind
By Alyssa Otis, GDMI/Outreach Specialist As Independence Day draws near, so does the anticipation of fireworks lighting up the night sky. It’s important to remember the impact it can have on our pets. This season can be stressful for some of our dogs, putting them at risk of hurting themselves or running away. It’s important ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Jellico, TN - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One The lesser airline reared its ugly head again this morning. But despite their best efforts, I still got to Knoxville well before dark just as I’d hoped. I’ve got about a two-hour drive, and I don’t like doing that kind of thing, especially in the dark and uncharted territory. I’m on the way ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - North Richland Hills, TX - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 – 3 The week started a little earlier than normal as I was on the road by Wednesday to attend a camp at the request of a former co-worker, Tricia. She’s been in blind rehab for as long as I have, which is a long time, but still seems the same age as ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - La Crosse, WI - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One This trip is starting off great. I’m headed to La Crosse, WI to work with David, a serial LD grad who needs some O&M training. Because La Crosse is much closer to Minneapolis, I flew in there. I love the Minneapolis airport; so clean, big windows and very bright. It’s big, so getting ... Read more
Tick and Flea Prevention Season - Leader Dogs for the Blind
David Smith, DVM It’s that time of year again, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming and the ticks are everywhere! The best way to avoid discomfort or disease from ticks and fleas is to do your best to keep them away from yourself and your pets. This is especially important for working dogs, ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Mechanicsburg - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I’ve got a plan. I’m flying to Baltimore, then driving to Mechanicsburg. On the way, there’s this little town called Gettysburg. You may have heard of it. I’ve wanted to come here for most of my adult life and it’s finally going to happen. I got an earlier-than-normal flight so I could do it. I ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Lumberton, Texas - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 Well, this is unusual. I’m usually headed to an airport and have a story to tell about someone I sat next to on the plane or the shuttle, or something like that. Lumberton, Texas is a two-hour drive from my home in Nacogdoches. My very first trip for Leader back in the summer ... Read more
My Volunteer Experience - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Happy National Volunteer Week to all my fellow volunteers! My name is Margaret Lopez, and I am a Volunteer Engagement Assistant for the Puppy Development and Breeding Departments. Through this role I learned about being a breeding host for Leader Dog. My husband and I are currently breeding hosts for Leader Dog Mom Kaiya! I ... Read more
National Volunteer Week 2024 - Leader Dogs for the Blind
How Lucky Am I? As a volunteer management professional for more than 20 years, I have had the pleasure of being involved in several professional networking groups. Currently, I am facilitating two groups. Locally, I facilitate the Volunteer Coordinator’s Network of SE Michigan. This group of over 175 talented individuals is comprised of professional volunteer ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Georgia - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I have reached status in my life. Through the blessings of my work with Leader, I have attained… Silver Medallion status (insert dramatic music here). Among the plethora of perks of a Silver Medallion member, I am afforded the opportunity to check one bag for free. This is a big one, folks. I ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Redding and Oroville, California - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I flew out to Sacramento on Sunday, with a connection in Salt Lake City. I love Salt Lake City’s airport. So bright, with floor to ceiling windows everywhere which provide the natural sunlight and a view of the mountains surrounding the Salt Lake Valley. Just gorgeous. And, the men’s restroom has a ledge ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Bardstown and Olive Hill, Kentucky - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 Houston to Atlanta to Lexington. Another first for me, as I’ve been through Kentucky, but don’t remember ever staying here. On the hour drive down to Bardstown, every exit was either a Civil War battlefield, or a bourbon distillery. This is gonna be a difficult trip… I’m here in Bardstown to work with ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Chicago - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 This was a crazy one, just getting to this day. Long story short, my scheduled trip to western Illinois got cancelled really late. Like three days before I flew out late. I called the lovely ladies on Leader Dog’s client services team and within a day’s time, they had me connected with a ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Carbondale - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I flew into St. Louis this time. Carbondale, IL is about a 2-hour drive from the airport. I had a window seat and had a great view of the Mississippi River, the Arch, and Busch Stadium. It’s a completely different view from the first time I went over the Mississippi toward Busch Stadium. ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Gainesville - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 Travel to north central Florida from Houston means a trip through Atlanta. Connections were all good, the plane train didn’t disappoint, nor did the automated soap dispensers and water faucets in Terminal B. Gainesville is a very small airport, which was refreshing in the fact that it was NOTHING like Atlanta. I’m headed ... Read more
Melissa Weisse Appointed as Leader Dog CEO - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Leader Dogs for the Blind today announced the appointment of Melissa Weisse as its new President & Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive, national search process. Weisse will replace Susan Daniels, who in May of 2023 announced her intention to retire. Weisse is an industry-respected nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience in fundraising ... Read more
Blindness Awareness Month: Bringing Visibility to Vision Loss - Leader Dogs for the Blind
When asked what they’re most afraid of, a lot of people answer that it’s going blind. In fact, studies and surveys have shown that people are more afraid of vision loss than cancer; stroke; heart disease; loss of hearing, memory, speech, or a limb; or even premature death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 6 ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Knoxville - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I flew out of Dallas instead of my usual airport, Houston, so that I would be closer to my son’s water polo match upon my return. Weird flying out of another airport. I know exactly where everything is in Houston: parking, gates, caffeine, etc. It felt odd, but planes still fly from Dallas, ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Green Bay - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 The trip this time is a little bit different. I’m making a stop in three major Wisconsin cities. I’m flying into Milwaukee, driving to Madison, then to Green Bay. (Just in case you were wondering, the Brewers are out of town, the Badgers haven’t started their season yet, and the Packers are in ... Read more
Statement on Ethical Training and Care of Guide Dogs - Leader Dogs for the Blind
The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI) recently released a joint statement on the ethical training and care of guide and assistance dogs. As a longstanding member of both the IGDF and ADI, Leader Dog adheres to and endorses this statement. We wanted to take this opportunity to reaffirm our own ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Georgia - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 This trip is the first time since I’ve been traveling for Leader Dog that I had to transfer flights in order to get where I was going. As the old saying goes, “Even if you’re headed to hell, you have to go through Atlanta first.” Indeed, I went through Atlanta, which means I ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Pennsylvania - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 “… you will find fortune, though it will not be the fortune you seek. But first, first ye must travel a long and difficult road. A road fraught with peril. You shall see things, wonderful to tell… I cannot tell you how long this road may be, but fear not the obstacles in ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Tennessee - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 So, I flew with the airline that shall not be named and I couldn’t help but wonder when the ugliness was going to start. Surely, there was weather somewhere, or the flight crew would be delayed because someone hadn’t had enough sleep, or something. I acted as if my flight would be delayed, ... Read more
ProPlan: Fueling Leader Dogs for over 20 Years - Leader Dogs for the Blind
“It takes a pretty remarkable dog to make my travels unremarkable, but that is exactly what my Leader Dog Wake does for me. It is incredible.” – LDB Client Calvin V Travel of any kind relies on fuel. Airliners burn jet fuel, automobiles consume gasoline (or battery-provided electric power for you early-adopters) and locomotives have ... Read more
Hero: The Story of a Leader Dog Dad Turned Leader Dog - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Meet Hero, a 3-year-old Labrador retriever who was raised in the prison system as part of our Prison Puppies initiative. When he came back to Leader Dog to go into formal training, our breeding team determined he would become a breeding dog instead, making him Leader Dog Dad Hero. In March of 2021, he met ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: North Carolina - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I love the airport! Such a melting pot of cultures, sights and sounds. The leisurely walk through the newly constructed, widened terminals are a joy. Lots of natural light is good for the soul. Also, I hate the airport. I can’t understand any of the myriad languages being spoken, the new terminal are ... Read more
On the Road with Barry: Wisconsin - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One On the parking shuttle, an older couple boarded after I was settled in. She sat across from me, while he sat next to me. Both were wearing Hawaiian shirts, and she was badgering him about his shoe choice. He said he changed his mind this morning because he’d be sitting for 36 hours. ... Read more
Volunteering at Leader Dog - Leader Dogs for the Blind
I started volunteering with Leader Dogs for the Blind in fall of 2022. As an Oakland County native, I surprisingly didn’t know about Leader Dog growing up. My first exposure was a few years ago when I was living in Chicago and my roommate (also from Oakland County) got a career changed dog from Leader ... Read more