Winter 2013-2014 | Volume 79, Number 3 ®

GUIDEA MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS OF THE SEEING EYE

INSIDE: Celebrating 85 Years! CONTENTS The Seeing Eye® Winter 2013-2014 | Volume 79, Number 3

1 Letters to The Seeing Eye

GUIDEA MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS OF THE SEEING EYE 2 First Class Celebrating 85 Years!

4 Thank You, Volunteers A Seeing Eye Perspective Donor Profile 6 In 1929 in Nashville, chicken was selling for 42 cents a pound, Gordon and Thelma Hill a half-gallon of milk could be had for 28 cents, and a cup of coffee cost a nickel. The city’s streets were teeming not only with 7 Puppy Raisers Model A Fords but also with horse-drawn carts and electric A Selfless Act of Love streetcars. Men wore suits and women wore dresses, and everyone wore hats. It was a very different time.

8 News Highlights And there was one sight that was new at the time but is quite familiar now – blind men and women being guided by Seeing Eye® dogs.

It was 85 years ago that The Seeing Eye was founded in Nashville, . , the first man to be teamed with a Seeing Eye dog, had to travel to ’s dog training facility in Switzerland to be matched with Buddy and to be trained in how to work with a . He promised Dorothy that he’d return to America and start a school here, to give other people the same independence that he now enjoyed with Buddy. And on January 29, 1929, he kept that promise as The Seeing Eye, Inc., opened for business. ON THE COVER: A few days later, the first two students began their training with instructors Jack Humphrey, Adelaide Clifford, and Willi Ebeling. The 21-year-old Morris Frank was managing director. The first graduating class of The Seeing Eye, which began Much has changed over the last 85 years. We’ve innovated in ways that our founders could in Nashville, Tennessee, on have only imagined – advances in genetics and screening to all but eliminate hip dysplasia, February 2, 1929. From left: megaesophagus, and progressive retinal atrophy in our breeding stock; the use of new Instructor Jack Humphrey; methods such as clicker training to teach dogs to “nose” a door knob or pedestrian crossing student Dr. Raymond Harris with button; and moved from a $15 a month rented office to a beautiful 60-acre campus in Tartar; instructor Adelaide Clifford; Morristown, , with a newly renovated Main House and its own American Animal student Dr. Howard Buchanan with Hospital Association-accredited canine hospital. Gala; and instructor Willi Ebeling. But we’re still following the same advice that our instructors offered those first students: Praise your dog, trust your dog, and love your dog!

The Seeing Eye dog of today is a much different animal than what we used in 1929. Our dogs in 1929 were wonderful dogs, renowned for their intelligence, loyalty, and gentle nature. Imagine what 85 years of selective breeding, careful screening, and innovative training have accomplished!

As a donor to The Seeing Eye, you have made all of this possible. Your generous support enables remarkable men and women to come from across the United States and Canada to be matched with these amazing dogs. They are lawyers and artists; professors and students; factory workers and stay-at-home parents. But they all want what Morris did – enhanced independence. Thanks to you, The Seeing Eye will be here to provide that enhanced independence for another 85 years and beyond.

Sincerely, James A. Kutsch, Jr., President & CEO, The Seeing Eye elcome to The Seeing Eye W Heritage Society

The Seeing Eye Heritage Society was Ms. Pauline Alexander Mrs. Joan Coughlin founded in 1989 to recognize and Mrs. Cynthia Allen Ms. Arline Cowell Jen Armbruster Mr. Charles Crawford honor those individuals who have taken Tamara Armstrong Mrs. Lee Crossman the important step of including a legacy Rana McMurray Arnold Deborah E. Curtis gift to The Seeing Eye in their financial Ms. Murielle Arseneau Mr. John A. D'Ambra Mrs. Rhoda Attanasio Mr. Alan Dalton portfolios or estate plans. Members of Barbara A. Backer, RN Craig Davis The Heritage Society have recognized James & Irene Baranski Lois N. DeConca the importance of the continuation of Dr. & Mrs. James Barnes Mrs. Elizabeth Sandra DeGeorge Dr. Michael L. Barnett Ms. Raye L. Delle our work with people who are blind Mildred H. Beam Lori & Dennis DeMarco and visually impaired and have Andrea & Mitch Becker Francis & Karen DeNaro expressed a commitment to that end by Mrs. Susanna A. Berger Ms. Denise DePalma planning a gift which will help provide Rita V. Bergerson Doris N. Desher Ms. Nancy Conant Berresford Ms. Barbara Dicks for the future success of the school. Nanette Boak Margie Donovan Miss Candice Bolte Dr. & Mrs. Legacy gifts make up a large portion Doris Bowen George Alexander Doumani Mr. Kenneth Bowles Janice G. Drake of the donations received by The Fred & Kathy Brack Ms. Michele Drolet Seeing Eye each year, for which we Carole J. Brand Kenneth Duncan & Patricia Lewis* are most grateful. Gifts of this nature Mr. Daniel P. Braun The Honorable and Mrs. Davis Duty Art & Mary Braunschweiger Mr. & Mrs. David J. Ebel secure the future of our mission, Lt. Gen. & Mrs. Robert A. Breitweiser Douglas and Wyndham Eberle providing ongoing services to our Nina R. Brilli Dr. Sylvia Ebert graduates and new students. Mr. & Mrs. William* Brinker Dr. & Mrs. James Elston Barbara Brooks Family Trust Ms. Tina Emery* Mr. & Mrs. William Brouillard Marcus Engel It is very possible that you are eligible Cindy Brown Lorraine Engenito for membership in The Heritage Carol & Ray Bsarany Mrs. Susan Etters Society, but haven’t let us know. If you Dr. Mari Bull Donna J. Evans Ms. Joan E. Burgomaster Albert & Gloria* Evans have created a bequest in your will or Lolly & Jay Burke Mr. Paul H. Falon trust, or named The Seeing Eye as Lloyd Burlingame Mrs. Lorraine R. Filiere beneficiary of a charitable trust, a Mr. H. W. William Caming Ms. Eleanor A. Finnin Mr. & Mrs. Frederick B. Campbell Mr. & Mrs. James Fitzgerald retirement plan, or a life insurance Mr. Richard Cannon Patricia E. Fleming policy, you are eligible to become a Ms. Judi Cannon Mr. Gene F. Forsyth member of The Heritage Society! We Donna A. Carides Betty Foster want very much to be able to say Julie H. Carroll, Esq. Ms. Jane L. Fouraker Ms. Judith Carson Maria Franchino “thank you” and include you in The Mr. Santo Cascio Ms. Estelle Freedman Heritage Society events. Ms. Lauren Casey Mr. Robert E. Friedman Mrs. Ann L. Cavalli Ms. Irene M. Gaitley Catherine A.M. Cavanaugh Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Gallagher Please take a moment to inform us Mrs. Ann Cavellier Mrs. Frederica W. Gamble of your intention by calling David & Marion Chappell Tom Garner 973-539-4425 x1735 or email Mrs. Margaret P. Chappell Mrs. Peggy Garrett Mr. Thomas J. Cherry Ms. Helen Gartman [email protected]. Dr. Lawrence X. Clifford Hank & Gudy Gautschy Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Collin Drs. Philip and Marjorie Gerdine Mr. & Mrs. Norman F. Comly Shirley M. Giovannoli Mr. and Mrs. Florence Susan Godek Patrick G. Constantinides Susan & Keith Gonzalez Mr. Alan Conway Mr. Brian Gourley Miss Ann L. Corbly Joan Grandinetti George & Nancy Cottrell Peggy Grow Across these pages you will see the names of those individuals who have informed us of their extraordinary commitment to enhancing the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of people who are blind through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs by providing for The Seeing Eye in their estate plans. Thank you!

Elsie D. Hajdics Kathleen & Leonard Lederer Richard K. O’Dea Mr. & Mrs. W. Sydnor* Settle Robert & Dana Hamwee Mr. Ralph W. Ledford Mrs. Juanita B. Oleyar Helen E. Sheehan Dale & Peggy Harris Dr. Harold F. Leeper & Louise B. Olshan Katherine Shelton Marilyn & Gord Harris Ms. Ann B. Gourley Mrs. Elise R. Olton Irene Sidun Mr. J. Philip Hart Midge Leitch, VMD Mr. & Mrs. L. Ostar Mr. & Mrs. Robert Silver Timothy & Lorraine Hartley Kaye Leslie Mrs. Margaret S. Osterhoudt Judith L. Sissick Ms. Joan D. Hassan Hilda W. Lichtenstein Elizabeth Ostrowski Cornelia J. Smith Robert & Jean Hegedus Dr. Rebecca Lineberger Margaret E. Otto Mr. Gerald Smith Jeffrey Henn Irwin & Lois Ann Linker Mrs. Irene Palazzo Susan V. Smith Mr. & Mrs. David G. Henry Richard H. Livesey III & Mrs. Ethel H. Palmer Ann C. Smith F. Lois Henry Mrs. Mae F. Livesey Lois Paris James C. Solly Tidi B. Herndon Thelma M. Locke* Mr. & Mrs. Ben Parisi in memory of Eleanora M. Solly Mr. & Mrs. Gordon C. Hill Judith & Victor V. Lolli Theodore C. Paulson, Sr. Mrs. Lillian S. Stamler Jamie Hilton Daisy Lundsten Mr. Louis Pepe Ms. Valorie Stanard Jim & Debbie Hoffert Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Lurie Ms. Zucel Perez Mark & Barbara Steinberg Mrs. Mary G. Holliday Mr. Edward Macauley Mr. & Mrs. Jack Peterson Jo Anne Stevens Mrs. Elizabeth Hontz Ted Macdonald Gail J. Petre Eva Marie Stevens Claire A. Hopkins Mrs. Marjorie Machesney Miss Camille Petrecca Carol Stevens Hewson Don Horneff James & Eugenia MacKellar Dianne & Beverly Petty Dorothy J. Stichel Mrs. Vivian Hulse Mary Jeanne Maclaurin Mrs. Lisa Pfleider Mrs. Marilyn Stiglitz Ms. Mary Jane Irwin Mrs. Ann Mann Mr. William J. Pimblott Mrs. Gloria Strei Graham & Jean Jeffrey Mary Manwaring Miss Gladys R. Pincus Mr. Bruce Strnad Miss Barbara L. Jennings Donna Jean Marrone Cheryl L. Pitz Mrs. Miriam Strong Priscilla H. Johnson in memory of Louis Jr. & Martha & Howard Polin Helen Jo Taliaferro Miss Natalie Johnson Karen Ann Dena L. Polston Leon A. Tierney, Jr. In memory of Dolores Johnston Ms. Phyllis J. Marsteller Andrea C. Popick Mr. Peter M. Tilkin Lynda Jones Robert & Debra Mastera Mr. Charles A. Prescott Jane Toleno Michael & Sylvie Meyers-Jouan Ms. Flora Mattis Mr. George T. Pullman Kathy Towson Ms. Jane Judson Ms. Ruth A. McCartney Mr. William D. Quick Miriam Travis Mrs. Karen Julius Mrs. Gwynne G. McDevitt Ms. Ellen Quimper Ms. Eileen L. Trotta Mr. Howard J. Kahn Mrs. Toula McEllen Claire Durand Racamato Mr. John Turner Arthur & Esther Kane Erin McNamara Mr. & Mrs. Dale Reed Carol A. Ungro Dr. Sivia Kaye Mr. David McShane Miss Monte F. Richardson Ms. Peg Van Patton Mrs. Virginia S. Kelcec Mr. William Meinecke Buddy & Nancy Richman Shirley M. Vavra Kevin & Gina Keyte Mr. Richard G. Mercner Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Roberts Mark Vellen Mrs. Junerose Killian Mrs. Judith Meyers Ms. Rachel Robinson Dr. Brian Wallach Frederick I. Kilpatrick Barbara Michie Claire Barlow Roffino Mrs. Doreen Waller Joseph Dean Klatt, PhD Asya Miller Richard & Lisa Roiseman Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Walsh, Jr. Cameron & Martha Koblish Mrs. Muriel B. Miller* June Catherine Romano Sally A. Webb Raymond & Lois Kohan Mr. Edward W. Miller Diane Romano Ms. Jane Weidlund Earl & Anna Kragnes Lois Mills Barbara Ina Rosen Mrs. Dorothy Weidowke Norma Krajczar Harriet E. Monaghan in memory of Rose & Miss Suzanne Whalen Charles W. & Cissy R. Kramer Jeanne-Marie Moore Max Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Eric Whalen John G. & Ruth K.* Kramer Rev. Bonnie L. Moore Elyse G. Rosenfield Mrs. Marie Whitlatch Marvin* & Gaytha Kraushar Mrs. Barbara Moore Mr. Kenneth Rosenthal Ms. Theresa Wierszylo Ulrike Kreiner-Holzhauer & Helen F. Morgan Ms. Grace Rosenthal Mr. Alan L. Wilkinson * Viktor Kreiner Paul & Rosie Morline Jan Rumbaugh Dwight Wilson, Jr. Mr. Harry L. Krueger Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Moulton David A. Salo Ms. Bernadette Winkler* Dr. James A. Kutsch, Jr. & Ms. Phyllis M. Murphy Mr. Anthony Salvati Mrs. Sharon F. Wolf Mrs. Ginger B. Kutsch Jeanne C. Myers Sylvia Sammons Ms. Karen A. Wood Ms. Elissa La Bagnara Dr. Grace Napier Dave & Janet Sanders Patricia J. Woolard-Wolff Mrs. Mary Lacatena & Mrs. Jeanne Neale Doris R. Satterwhite Mary E. Wurst Mr. Jerome Lacatena Miss Evelyn M. Nemes Susan Schechter Miss Ann S. Yagolnitzer Annette M. Lange Dr. & Mrs. Edwin B. Nettleton Patricia & Richard Schnadig Joyce B. Young Jacqueline Lanning Mr. Nelson Newcomb Katherine Schneider, Ph.D. Richard & Simone Zoladz Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lardine Dr. Aminda Nicoloro Mr. & Mrs. Leon E. Schrader 26 members of the Theresa Lassek Mr. & Mrs. James M. Norman Ms. Betsy Schuhart Heritage Society who wish Elaine J. Lawrason Barbara W. Nugent Mr. & Mrs. Robert Scott to remain anonymous

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letters

TO THE SEEING EYE

Dear Seeing Eye: If I combine the traits of the puppies I raised – the loyalty of Pepper, the calm of Wisty, the maturity of Irene, the warmth In 1932, I wished to make a donation to The Seeing Eye. of Ulla, the spirit of Rose, and the persistence of Xana – I might find just the right kind of success in college, and in My dad drove me (10 years old) with my carefully saved gift life, with a passion for learning, contributing, and growing to Morristown from Montclair. Here I met Morris Frank and every day. Thank you, The Seeing Eye, for giving me these Buddy. We visited the living quarters, toured the kennels, life-long gifts. and I offered my small donation consisting of many silver dollars and crumpled bills. A silver dollar fell to the floor, but Mr. Frank stopped me. “Buddy will get it,” he said, and Julia Chirls soon the awkward slippery silver dollar was in Mr. Frank’s hand. I was so delighted and thrilled.

Many anonymous gifts have been made over the following Dear Seeing Eye: years as I have marveled at your amazing skill assisting people who are blind. My support will always be there, For her seventh birthday this year, my daughter Kathryn perhaps smaller as I age but always heartfelt. wanted to get the American Girl’s service dog, named Chocolate Chip. We talked to her about service dogs and My husband, Richard Oakley, died September 11, 2013, how they help people with disabilities, including several at the age of 91, so I am sending this donation in his name. friends of ours in the Columbus and Toledo areas. Thank you for all that you do. We also talked about Candie. My wife Enjie Wu, now Hall, had a Seeing Eye dog named Candie. She was an integral Shirley M. Oakley part of our family, even playing the dual role of flower girl and ring bearer at our wedding. She retired to Grandma’s house where our children played with her and Candie basked on the couch in her last years. Dear Seeing Eye: Inspired by Candie and Chocolate Chip, Kathryn asked her The biggest lesson I’ve learned from my experiences as a friends to donate to The Seeing Eye instead of bringing Seeing Eye puppy raiser is that one gesture could help presents to her party. The money enclosed is in honor of someone unknown to me who is in need. For about 16 Kathryn’s birthday, and also in memory of Candie, to go to months, I teach basic commands that will help the puppy the Pennies for Puppies® program. succeed at The Seeing Eye, where she will experience formal training. The lesson that I have learned from working with Seeing Eye puppies applies to any charitable work. Any gesture, big or small, could help someone if you just Russell B. Hall take the time to do it.

Among the most special moments of my puppy raiser experience was receiving Wisty’s letter of acceptance from The Seeing Eye. I keep a picture of her, full of confidence in her harness, on my desk to remind me that dedication and hard work do pay off. While it is a pleasure to have a furry friend roaming the house all hours of the day, the true fulfillment comes from the end result: making the life of another person better.

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cover story

Top right: A Seeing Eye instructor trains a dog in Nashville, Tennessee, in February 1929.

Bottom right: Dr. Howard Buchanan is guided by Gala around children playing on a sidewalk. irst class It all began with a Gala. (And a Tartar.)

Morris Frank was the first man to be teamed with a Seeing Eye dog, but he wasn’t the first graduate of The Seeing Eye. That’s because Frank and Buddy were partnered in Switzerland in 1927 – and The Seeing Eye was still just a dream shared by Frank and Dorothy Harrison Eustis. Dr. Howard Buchanan of Monmouth, Illinois, had Two years later, on January 29, 1929, The Seeing been scheduled to follow in Frank’s footsteps, literally, Eye became a reality as it was issued a certificate of by being trained at Fortunate Fields, Eustis’s dog incorporation. Frank, now the managing director of training facility in Switzerland. But an illness forced The Seeing Eye, Inc., reported to Eustis that he had him to cancel that trip. Now he was in Nashville to frented an office in the Fourth and First National train with instructors Jack Humphrey, Adelaide Bank Building in Nashville, Tennessee, for $15 a Clifford, and Willi Ebeling. He would be matched month. Frank also bought two desks, four chairs, with Gala, the dog that had been trained for him in and a coat tree for another $15. The Seeing Eye Switzerland. was now in business. This would be the home of The Seeing Eye for its first two years, before moving to “The first day I was home, I went out with Gala alone New Jersey in 1931. and we went to nine different places,” Buchanan said. “This is the first time since my blindness that I And four days later, on February 2, the first two have been able to go when and where I pleased students would arrive to meet their dogs – both without asking some member of my family or a friend German shepherds. (We began training other breeds to go with me.” within a few years.)

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85th Anniversary Gala

Top left: And as we started with Dr. Raymond Harris and Tartar wait for a a Gala, it only seems passing streetcar as appropriate that we they cross Bay Street in celebrate our Savannah, Georgia. 85th birthday with one! On Friday, May 16, Bottom left: The Seeing Eye will hold Instructor Adelaide Clifford trains a dog in an 85th Anniversary Gala Nashville, Tennessee. on our campus in Morristown, New Jersey. Tickets are $350 and attire is “business/cocktail.”

For more information, please contact Tracy Crimmins at [email protected] or call 973-539-4425 ext. 1751.

Dr. Raymond V. Harris of Savannah, Georgia, was These members of the second class were encouraged matched with Tartar, another Fortunate Fields dog with a telegram from Harris, reading: that Eustis described in a letter to Frank as a very beautiful dog. You are about to start the most enjoyable journey of your darkness. My experience assures you that you may place implicit A month later, the second class – already up to six confidence in your instructors and confidence and faith in your people – would begin training in Nashville. Among dogs. Life’s pathway is strewn with many pitfalls and dangers, their number was Blanche Eddy of Berkeley, but your dog will successfully negotiate for you all of these and California, the first woman to be matched with a protect you at all times. Let your watchwords be courage and Seeing Eye dog. Her , Beta, was perseverance. Thank God, the Great Master, for The Seeing Eye, the first dog trained by Ebeling, a German and your instructors. businessman living in New Jersey who had retired at the age of 46 and enjoyed breeding and showing Frank and Buddy, followed by Buchanan and Gala German shepherds. He would serve as the and Harris and Tartar, were the first Seeing Eye organization’s executive vice president until 1953, teams; over the next 85 years, The Seeing Eye and after his retirement, remained on the Board of created more than 16,000 teams, and today there Trustees until his death in 1961. are graduates living in all 50 states and across Canada. But it all began on the streets of Nashville, with a Gala…and a Tartar.

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thank you, volunteers! Keane John by Photo

LYNN GECZI is the 2013 VOLUNTEER of the YEAR

The Seeing Eye has about 150 on-campus volunteers – “We call her the ghost, because I just leave something for roughly as many volunteers as full-time staff! These her to do before I leave, and when I come in the next volunteers do a number of tasks on and off campus, from morning it’s magically done,” said Kathy Daly, the Linda helping to care for the dogs to providing clerical support to Feinne-Roth Manager of Puppy office staff; from helping with our online auction to Development. “She’s in here at delivering puppies! the crack of dawn, running copies, checking inventory, On September 26, The Seeing Eye thanked its volunteers putting together puppy raiser with a reception held on campus. All volunteers were kits – whatever needs to get WE COULD NOT invited to attend, and gifts were presented to those who done, she’ll do it.” “ have been volunteering for 1, 5, 10, 15, and in the case DO ALL THAT of Jack Strangfeld, 20 years of service. The puppy raiser kits are WE DO AT THE provided to both returning and “We could not do all that we do at The Seeing Eye new puppy raiser families, SEEING EYE without our volunteers,” Seeing Eye President & CEO Daly explained. WITHOUT OUR Jim Kutsch said. “We have 500 puppies going VOLUNTEERS.

The Seeing Eye also recognized the 2013 Volunteer of the out every year. That’s a lot of — Jim Kutsch, Year: Lynn Geczi. The resident of Clark, New Jersey, is a kits!” Daly said. “Before we Seeing Eye President & CEO volunteer in the Puppy Development Department. She also had Lynn, the coordinators ” is the mother of Seeing Eye instructor Kim Geczi. She’s had to do it themselves, and it been volunteering since 2006. was just so time consuming. Lynn’s help means they can spend more time out in the “We belong to the Essex County Puppy Club, and one of field with the puppy raiser families, which is where we the leaders, Janet Keeler, had been volunteering for The need them to be.” Seeing Eye for years,” Lynn explained. “And in talking to her about it, I thought… ’I love The Seeing Eye… why The Geczi family also has raised 21 puppies, beginning in don’t I do that?’ So I did! And I truly love volunteering. I 1996, and they are currently raising a seven-month-old really enjoy being there.” German shepherd named Ernie.

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VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS

One Year of Service George Kennedy E.J. Sullivan Bernie Schoenfeld Photo by John Keane Mary Lou Burde Rob Kneller Kristin Tavares Clare Sievers Janet Cloninger Stewart Linder Margaret Turrisi-Toupet Tracy Silverschotz Alison Cogan Agi Louria John Tucciarone Bob Swanson Linda Colligan Michael Lyons Nancy Tucker Joseph Conti Don MacGowan Bethany Tulloch Ten Years of Service Judy Deuschle Deborah Maull Sheila Wolfensohn John Kenney Katherine DiRicco Whitney Maull Toula McEllen Carol Drummond Lisa Perlman Five Years of Service Joyce Novak Dan Fagan Jeannie Philips Sally Franzel Fifteen Years of Service Melinda Gilligan Doug Roberts Myrna Laracuente Janet Dedrick Barbara Hightower Janet Rozanski Penny Newell Heather Holcomb Richard Rozanski Johanna Ostar Twenty Years of Service Becky Irving Janet Ryans Robert Parker Jack Strangfeld Kathy Jones Linda Schiele Helene Roth George Schaberg is the Pam Kallas Clora Seals Volunteer of the Year Peggy Schaberg Karen Kane Loreli Stochaj Lynn Geczi 2013 VOLUNTEER of the YEAR

Photo by John Keane Photo by John Keane

”

The Beacon Hill Musicians -- Marty Eigen on Seeing Eye Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Lewis M. Chakrin and saxophone and flute, Flip Peters on guitar, and Seeing Eye President Dr. James A. Kutsch Jr. present Jack Strangfeld Ron Naspo on bass -- donated their talents at the a gift in recognition of his 20 years as a volunteer at The Seeing Eye. volunteer reception.

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donor profile

A History of Support Dorothy’s Legacy The Seeing Eye Thanks Its Long-Term Donors

Dorothy Harrison What are you still doing today that you were Eustis with a young doing in 2003? German shepherd. More than 1,600 people have been doing one thing all those years – supporting The Seeing Eye! We looked at our donor database and were elated to discover just how many donors have been giving to us each and every year. And more than 100 have been giving every year for 20 years or more!

Gordon and Thelma Hill of Wrightwood, California, have been giving to The Seeing Eye since 1988 – every year for 25 consecutive years.

Thelma explained that she knows from personal experience just how valuable a Seeing Eye dog The first donor to The Seeing Eye, of course, was can be to a person who is blind or visually Dorothy Harrison Eustis. impaired – her sister, Anne Laurel, is now teamed with her third Seeing Eye dog, a black Dorothy was a wealthy woman, having inherited money Lab/golden retriever cross named Anya. from her father, Charles Custis Harrison, a sugar refinery owner, noted philanthropist, and provost of the University “I know how much freedom my sister has with her of Pennsylvania; and her first husband, Walter Wood Jr., Seeing Eye dog, and how important it is to her a businessman and local politician who died of an illness life,” Thelma said. “We could never repay The after they’d been married just nine years. Seeing Eye for what you’ve done for her.”

She not only poured much of her own money into The Thelma said she and her husband also adopted a Seeing Eye – buying the school’s first home in Whippany for dog from The Seeing Eye, a German shepherd $30,000 in 1931, more than $450,000 in today’s dollars – named Dottie. “We had her for seven years, and but also tirelessly raised funds on the organization’s behalf. she was the most wonderful dog,” Thelma In just 10 short years, The Seeing Eye’s endowment grew recalled. “She couldn’t work because she was from $43,000 in 1933 to more than $1 million in 1943. animal distracted. Well, we live up here in the San Even then, The Seeing Eye knew that a healthy endowment Gabriel Mountains where there aren’t any cars to was the key to the school’s future – it ensures that the school worry about, so she could spend all day running will be here when students return for subsequent Seeing Eye up and down the hillsides chasing squirrels and dogs, able to weather economic downturns. having a wonderful time.”

The Seeing Eye is now in the midst of a five-year, $10 The Hills also are members of the Heritage million capital campaign to raise funds for the endowment. Society, meaning they have provided for The We are more than halfway to our goal! If you would like to Seeing Eye in their estate plans. donate, contact Susan Ullmann in the Donor and Public Relations Department at (973) 539-4425. “We love The Seeing Eye. It is a terrific organization,” Thelma said. “Dogs are wonderful creatures, and they really do help people.”

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A Selfless Act of Love For Sue Maya, raising puppies is a family tradition

Sue Maya grew up raising puppies for act of love – a love for someone you are The Seeing Eye. And now, more than 30 probably never going to meet,” she said. years later, she’s given that experience to “And it also teaches children that her own children. sometimes you have to give up something that you love, but you can survive that.” “You put your heart and soul into loving these dogs, and there are some tears Her 15-year-old son, Wilson, has raised when you give them up,” Sue said. “But two puppies, both yellow Labrador honestly, I work in Morristown, so I get to retrievers – one named Dan, the other see a lot of these puppies when they get Boss. Both successfully completed training matched with new students. I get more and are now working with Seeing Eye choked up seeing that – seeing what they graduates! are going to do for someone who needs them – than I do when I give them up. I “It’s hard work, but it’s definitely worth saw a young lady, probably with her first it,” Wilson said. “It’s an incredible feeling Seeing Eye dog, walking down the street to know that this dog you raised is going Allyson and Wilson Maya with Seeing Eye with such grace and confidence that I to do something good for someone else.” puppy Bay, a golden retriever, in a photo had to pull over because I was bawling taken last fall. so hard. As a mother, seeing that girl and Allyson, 12, is raising her first Seeing how beautifully she was working with Eye dog, a 9-month-old golden retriever that dog, my hope is that every puppy I named Bay. Sometime in the next three to raise will be able to do that for someone.” six months, Bay will return to The Seeing IT ALL BEGINS WITH PUPPIES Eye for an evaluation, and if he passes, Our volunteer puppy raisers play a Sue raised three Seeing Eye puppies as a begin training to become a Seeing Eye critical role in The Seeing Eye’s child for The Seeing Eye; now, along with dog. her husband Willie and their two mission to provide the world’s best children, she’s raised three more. “It’s going to be hard to give him up,” guide dogs. They not only teach the Allyson said. “I know I’ll be upset, but I puppies basic obedience and good Sue said raising puppies teaches her also know it is for a good cause.” house manners, but also socialize the children about responsibility, hard work, puppies so they are familiar with sacrifice, and love. “It truly is a selfless different people, places, and animals. But most of all, our raisers teach our puppies to respond to love and praise – which are the reward s they get in training as well as later when they’re paired with a Seeing Eye graduate.

For more information about becoming a Seeing Eye puppy raiser, please go to http://www.seeingeye.org/raise.

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news highlights

Crnkovich Elected Chairman of Seeing Eye Board

Peter N. Crnkovich, Senior Adviser of Morgan Stanley, has been elected Chairman of The Seeing Eye’s Board of Trustees. Crnkovich, who was first elected a trustee of the Morristown school in 2003, had been serving as Vice Chairman since 2009.

“I’m proud to help lead The Seeing Eye at Ramapo College of New Jersey, who in its mission to enhance the dignity had served the maximum permitted and independence of people who are term as Chairman but will remain on blind and visually impaired through the the Board of Trustees. Dr. Margaret E. use of our amazing Seeing Eye® L. (Peggi) Howard of Whitehouse dogs,” Crnkovich said. Station, N.J., Vice President of Administration and University Relations The resident of Madison, N.J., served at Drew Univer sity, was elected Vice as chairman of Morgan Stanley’s Chair. These new officers join three managing director of Amulet Global Healthcare Industry Investment officers who were re-elected: Vice Capital/Diamond Castle Holdings, and Banking Practice and has a B.S. from Chair Thomas Duffy of Franklin Lakes, Steve Pangere of Crown Point, Ind., Georgetown University and an M.B.A. N.J.; Secretary Julie Carroll of Falls President and CEO of The Pangere from the Stanf ord Graduate School of Church, Va.; and Treasurer Robert Corporation of Gary, Ind. Pangere is a Business. Hamwee of New Vernon, N.J. graduate of The Seeing Eye, having been matched with his first Seeing Eye Crnkovich succeeds past Chairman Dr. In addition, two people were recently dog, a black Labrador/golden retriever Lewis M. Chakrin of Mendham, N.J., elected to the Board of Trustees: Ari cross named Hope, in 2010. dean of the Anisfield School of Business Benacerraf of New York, N.Y., senior

DUSTY’S LAW PASSES IN NEW JERSEY Prepare To Bid! In July 2010, a Seeing Eye puppy was mauled by an unrestrained dog in New Jersey. The puppy, a German We will once again be holding our shepherd named Dusty, survived the attack but was unable online auction this spring, beginning to enter the training program due to the attack. April 23 and ending May 2. We are currently accepting item donations, For the past four years, The Seeing Eye has been working such as new (or unique) items, gift toward Dusty’s Law, which would make killing, injuring, or baskets, sports tickets, or gift interfering with a service animal or service animal in certificates. We also are looking for training (including puppies being raised to be guide dogs) companies that would like to sponsor a criminal offense in New Jersey. Not only would this mean the auction. stricter penalties if people (or their dogs) attack guide dogs, but by making it a crime, police would respond to such incidents. In the past, such incidents would If you have an item to donate, usually be referred to animal control officers, who typically aren’t available during or if your company would be off hours, and often didn’t have the resources to investigate the attack or render interested in sponsoring the auction, assistance to a guide dog user whose dog may be unable to work. The effort to get the law passed was led by Dusty’s puppy raiser, Roger Woodhour, and Seeing Eye please contact Sara Meehan at volunteer Ginger Kutsch. [email protected], call (973) 539-4425 ext 1736, or visit Dusty’s Law was passed by the Assembly and Senate and signed in January by www.seeingeye.org/auction. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

8 THE SEEING EYE GUIDE SOLD! Thanks for leading the way.

Bausch + Lomb shares The Seeing Eye’s commitment to helping the visually impaired. The Seeing Eye

See Better. Live Better

© 2012 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Bausch + Lomb is a trademark of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. All other product/brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. PNS06051 The Seeing Eye

Washington Valley Road • P.O. Box 375 Morristown, NJ 07963-0375

The Seeing Eye, then and now!

On the left, G. William Debetaz, who joined The Seeing Eye in 1929 as an instructor and retired 43 years later as vice president of training, teaches a black Labrador retriever to look for overheard obstacles; on the right, Seeing Eye instructor Kristin Lake demonstrates the same technique to a German shepherd, 85 years later!

Photo Credits: Historical image−The Seeing Eye archives. Contemporary image−David Shapiro.

The Seeing Eye Visit our Website www.SeeingEye.org Email [email protected] President & CEO James A. Kutsch, Jr. Phone 973-539-4425 Fax 973-539-0922 Editor Craig Garretson In Canada c/o The Seeing Eye Organization Communications Manager T8059, P.O. Box 8059, STN A Toronto, ON M5W 3W5 Registered Canadian Charity Number 89100 8690 RR 0001 ISSN 0037-0819 Publication number 488580

The Seeing Eye produces the Guide® magazine in audio and electronic versions, in addition to this print version. Copies are available by request. This issue and past issues also are available on our website. Permission to reprint may be obtained by contacting The Seeing Eye. Seeing Eye® is a registered trademark for guide dogs of The Seeing Eye, Inc., and is its registered service mark for training dogs as guides and instructing visually impaired individuals in their use and care. The Seeing Eye admits and offers students of any race, color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or ancestry all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or ancestry in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs. The Seeing Eye follows the guidelines recommended by the Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools for the humane care and training of dogs to be guides, and the instruction and graduate services offered to people who are blind or visually impaired. The Seeing Eye is an accredited member of the International Guide Dog Federation. The mission of The Seeing Eye is to enhance the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind, through the use of specially trained Seeing Eye dogs. © 2014 THE SEEING EYE.