The Minutes from the Last Meeting - July 2nd, 2014

The next meeting will be September 3rd, 2014 - Look forward to seeing you.,

On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014, in the Eisenhower Recreational Center, at approximately 7:00 PM, our RDOG3 meeting began.  As you know, there was no meeting in August. 

Bonnie and her yellow Lab, Patriot, from South East Guide Dogs, were our guests for the evening.  Bonnie explined the importance of guide dogs, the cost to raise them, being puppy raisers etc.  Questions pertaining to puppy raisers: do puppy raisers receive special training, what costs are involved in raising a puppy, how old are the puppies when they arrive in a puppy raiser’s home, what age do the puppies return to Southeastern Guide Dogs, do puppies arrive house trained, are puppies crate trained, are the puppies allowed in public places like other service dogs, where are the puppy raiser groups, are puppy raisers involved in any extracurricular functions, are there age requirements for puppy raisers, how do I apply to become a puppy raiser etc.  Please contact GuideDogs.org/RaiseAPuppy

Bonnie also discussed other programs:

Paws for Independence – pairs visually impaired individuals with superbly trained guide dogs and provides lifetime follow-up to active graduates. 

Paws for Patriots – Guide Dogs: pairs visually impaired veterans with trained guide dogs and provides lifetime follow-up to active graduates.

 Veteran Service Dogs:  Some of the dogs are better suited for jobs other than guide work.  Specially selected dogs are trained and placed into service careers benefitting veterans with Post Traumatic Stress, or placed as therapy dogs at military facilities.

Gifted Canines – Canine Connections Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs as companions for children who are visually impaired as a way of educating them about the responsibilities associated with owning a dog.

Public Service Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs into public service careers such as search and rescue and arson, bomb and drug detection.

Ambassador Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs as ambassadors who provide outreach to hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and schools.            Questions and answers followed.

Door prize and 50/50 were drawn.

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:15 PM.