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A New Purpose, A Loyal Companion: Retirees Invited to Raise Future Leader Dogs - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Leader Dogs for the Blind Seeks Puppy Raisers to Help Change Lives—One Puppy at a Time Retirement is a time to slow down, savor the moment, and rediscover what brings you joy. If you’re looking for a new way to give back, stay active, and enjoy meaningful companionship, consider becoming a volunteer puppy raiser for ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Crown Point, Indiana - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I’m flying Delta this time, and I’m very comfortable with them. I even got upgraded on both my flights today. I changed planes in Detroit; it always feels funny to be in Detroit and not go to Leader. I’m off to O’Hare Airport in Chicago and then an hour-ish drive to Crown Point, ... Read more
What is Orientation and Mobility training? - Leader Dogs for the Blind
For the nearly 20 million people in the US living with blindness or low vision, Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training provides vital skills to help them live safely, confidently, and independently. Orientation and Mobility training is tailored to each person’s unique needs and circumstances—including the degree of vision loss, personal goals, and abilities. Orientation and ... Read more
May 2025 – Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
I’m Christina Hepner, one of Gram’s puppy raisers. I’m excited to bring you this month’s update! This month, Future Leader Dog Gram turns one, can you believe it? I sure can’t! He was born on May 10, 2024. This last month has been full of adventures for Gram. He has visited many places including restaurants ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Austin, Texas - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 For the first time in a while, I am my own transportation. Well, almost. In my little corner of Texas, there’s one rental car company. One. They’re very nice and have always provided me with a clean vehicle in good working order. It is almost never the one, or even the style, I ... Read more
Raising Future Leader Dogs and Children - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Over the past 12 years, our family has raised 12 Future Leader Dogs — and 3 children. During that time, both our children and our puppies have grown, matured and set off on their own adventures, each having benefited from a strong foundation and thoughtful guidance. In many ways, puppy raising and parenting go hand ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Missouri - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I’m headed to Missouri. On the other airline. The other airline always makes me nervous. Yes, I hold grudges. Not lying, I remember things for a long time. The vast majority of my delays while flying for Leader have come at the hands of the other airline. They put me up in a ... Read more
Why Accessibility Matters: Celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Every third Thursday in May, we come together to recognize Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) — a day dedicated to bringing light to accessibility and inspiring conversations, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion. Why Accessibility Should Matter to You Accessibility is about more than just compliance — it’s about empathy, equity and designing ... Read more
Love Puppies? Help Bring Guide Dogs Into the World—Right From Your Home! - Leader Dogs for the Blind
What if your next family adventure didn’t involve a plane ticket, but puppies and purpose? We’re inviting families like yours to help raise the next generation of guide dogs right from your own home. If your kids love dogs, and you’ve got a soft spot for puppy kisses and wagging tails, becoming a volunteer breeding ... Read more
April 2025 – Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Can you believe it’s been a month already? It’s time for another update on Future Leader Dog Gram! He’s been working hard on his skills with his six moms (yep, he’s being raised by six women—all team members at Leader Dogs for the Blind). He is definitely spoiled and loves to get snuggles and belly ... Read more
2024 Griffis Spirit of Volunteerism Award - Leader Dogs for the Blind
The Griffis Award is presented once a year to two deserving volunteers who demonstrate significant commitment to the work and the mission of Leader Dog. This year’s recipients are exceptionally long-serving, dedicated volunteers who live the values of Leader Dog every day. Sheila Splane has been an on-campus volunteer for 14 years. She has served ... Read more
From Lions Fundraiser to Client Support Volunteer: A Leader Dog Journey - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Written by Mike Dengate, Leader Dog On-Campus Volunteer I worked in Philanthropy as a member of the Lions team for about a dozen years. During that time, I traveled throughout the United States and Canada, representing Leader Dog at Lions meetings and conventions, raising both awareness and funds. Founded by Lions 86 years ago, this ... Read more
Our Journey as Leader Dog Breeding Hosts - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Written by Jamie Joseph, Leader Dog Breeding Host When we moved to Michigan and learned about Leader Dogs for the Blind, we knew we needed to be involved. While puppy raising is an incredible opportunity, I wasn’t sure I was selfless enough to train and love a dog for a year and then let them ... Read more
Spreading the Leader Dog Mission: A Community Engagement Journey - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Written by Mike Kondrat, Leader Dog Community Engagement Volunteer As a community engagement volunteer, I have the privilege of introducing the Leader Dogs for the Blind story to community members who might not be familiar with our history, mission and the profound impact we make in the low vision community. Over the past couple of ... Read more
My Pass Along Journey: Welcoming Yoko into Our Home - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Written by Anne Preston, Leader Dog Puppy Raiser Being a part of the volunteer engagement department at Leader Dog, I’ve always been curious about the puppy raising experience from a volunteer’s perspective! Since starting my career with Leader three years ago, I’ve been waiting for the right time to raise a puppy. I recognized it ... Read more
Welcome National Volunteer Week 2025! - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Written by Melissa Pletcher, Manager of Volunteer Engagement Dedication When I first joined Leader over three years ago, I thought I knew what dedication was. I have met and worked with many fine volunteers who were so dedicated and gave so much of themselves to their organizations. But when I arrived, I discovered an entirely ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Alabama - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day One I’m on the way to Mobile, Alabama. Flying into Mobile, actually. Staying in Sarahland and working in Chickasaw. The weather forecast keeps changing for the worse every time I check it. I pay a little too close attention to the weather since I fly so much. So close that I know what they ... Read more
How Veterinary Students and Leader Dog Collaborate to Ensure Healthy Eyes in Future Leader Dogs - Leader Dogs for the Blind
As part of their advanced ophthalmology elective, veterinary students from Michigan State University’s (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine are diving deep into the world of eye care. Leader Dogs for the Blind’s breeding team invited these students to help perform some routine eye exams on our breeding stock dogs. The students that participated have a ... Read more
March 2025 – Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
It’s time for another update about Future Leader Dog Gram! He’s being raised and supported by six team members at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Traci is a part of the team and wants to share some of the exciting progress and experiences her and Gram have had together in the last month. February was ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Kansas - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 Kansas. I was supposed to be here in January, but Mother Nature decided to have a blizzard instead. Now, if you know anything about Leader Dog, we don’t cancel training for cold weather. We’re based in Michigan, for pity’s sake, it gets pretty cold there. The Kansas Department of Transportation, or whatever they’re ... Read more
February 2025 - Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
It’s time for another update about Future Leader Dog Gram! He’s being raised and supported by six team members at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Kasey is a part of the team and wants to share some of the exciting progress and experiences her and Gram have had together in the last month. As the ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Tennessee - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I’m on my way to New Tazewell, Tennessee. Pronounced “taz” not “taze”. I flew from Houston to LaGuardia and then to Knoxville. New York always looks better to me when it’s covered with snow and it was today. I hope the weather in Tennessee is what I packed for, which was definitely NOT ... Read more
The Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Eye exams are crucial to maintain maximum eye health and play a vital role in diagnosing eye conditions and diseases. Early detection is essential. Eye exams can detect a broad range of vision issues, many of which can be corrected. Vision loss can significantly impact an individual’s ability to perform essential daily living skills, considerably ... Read more
On the Road with Barry - Morgantown, WV - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Day 1 I’m in Morgantown, West Virginia, to visit Debbie. Get this y’all: She’s had dogs from Leader for 40 years! Can you imagine? She’s getting a little orientation and mobility (O&M) brush-up while waiting to apply for her next dog. I sat with her first thing this morning to get to know her and ... Read more
The First Leader Dog Puppies of 2025: A Special Beginning and the Heart of a Volunteer - Leader Dogs for the Blind
The first Leader Dog puppies of 2025 are here! Born on January 7th, this adorable litter of three puppies marks an exciting milestone for Leader Dogs for the Blind and the dedicated volunteers who help bring these dogs into the world. This year’s first litter comes from Leader Dog Mom Winnie and Leader Dog Dad ... Read more
About Blindness and Low Vision - Leader Dogs for the Blind
What is Blindness & Low Vision? Vision loss represents a broad spectrum ranging from minor visual impairment to the complete inability to see. Vision loss results from varying underlying causes and can significantly impact daily living. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally more than 2 billion people have a vision impairment, almost half ... Read more
Reflecting on Three Years of Taking the Lead: A Personal Note - Leader Dogs for the Blind
I still remember my first day at Leader Dogs for the Blind when I was asked to help create a podcast. As someone new to the team, I was both excited and nervous about the opportunity to share our clients’ stories and spread our mission with the world. Now, I find myself looking back in ... Read more
December 2024 - Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
It’s time for another update about Future Leader Dog Gram! He’s being raised and supported by six team members at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Emily is a part of the team and wants to share with you what happened in the last month. With the holidays right around the corner, I have some time ... Read more
January 2025 - Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Time for another update on Future Leader Dog Gram! He’s been getting a lot of love and support from his six-person raising team at Leader Dogs for the Blind. Mariana is a part of the team and wants to share with you what happened in the last month. December has been a fun month for ... Read more
November 2024 - Future Leader Dog Gram Update - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Christina, Kasey, Emily, Mariana, Traci and Cheryl – Gram’s six amazing raisers – have an update that’s sure to make you smile. Our fluffy, affectionate and oh-so-smart puppy is growing up fast! At nearly six months old, this black Lab/golden retriever mix is stealing hearts everywhere he goes. We like to say, he’s a “big ... Read more
Change Lives: Become a Future Leader Dog Puppy Raiser - Leader Dogs for the Blind
Have you ever dreamed of making a lasting impact while sharing your life with an adorable puppy? As a Future Leader Dog puppy raiser, you can do exactly that. Every year, dedicated volunteers spend 12-15 months nurturing and training puppies that will go on to become invaluable guide dogs for individuals who are blind – ... Read more
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