Pismo Beach -- A non-profit organization is looking for central coast volunteers to raise puppies that will grow up to be guide dogs. Guide Dogs for the Blind, based in northern California, has been raising and training guide dogs since 1942. The organization relies solely on donations and receives no state or federal money. It costs nearly 90-thousand dollars to pay for everything it takes to train a guide dog from birth, but these service dogs are given to people who are visually impaired and blind free of charge.
Robin Libbee has relied on guide dogs for more than 20 years and says, " I had reached a point in my life where I could no longer walk down the street by myself and at that point I became very dependent on my children."
Susan King has raised puppies for the organization in her Paso Robles home for 14 years, she says, "Our job is three fold, we teach the dogs basic obedience, we teach them house manners, and we socialize the puppies so we get to put the cute little green jacket on them and take them where ever we go."
In the first few months the puppies start learning what wearing a guide dog vest is all about. Eventually they work with special trainers, then the dog and the person they will work with spend weeks in training together learning to be a team. You can learn more about getting involved at a special event at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. The "Happy Tails to You" Fundraiser is from 2 – 5 PM Sunday, September 23rd.
