Cumberland Woman Trains Guide Dogs
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Christ Lutheran Church wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year! www.christgettysburg.org VOL. 117, NO. 305 GettysburG, Pennsylvania • thursday, december 24, 2020 www.gettysburgtimes.com $1.00 cumberland Conewago lowers woman trains taxes, eliminates guide dogs manager position by michael cooper-White The decision provides tax For the Gettysburg Times relief of 0.25 mill to property by adam michael More than 500 guide dog owners. The supervisors went Times Assistant Editor hopefuls are born at Guiding At its final meeting of 2020 on record as committed to a Eyes’ Canine Development Monday evening, Conewago similar reduction in 2022. Everywhere Anne Gallon Center in Patterson, New York, Township Supervisors adopt- “Taxes are lowered, and goes, a pair of eyes belonging each year. At roughly 8 weeks ed a 2021 general fund bud- spending is lowered. We’re to an adoring, obedient Labra- old they are dispersed among get with projected income of actually pretty healthy,” Chair dor Retriever puppy follow. the organization’s 1,400 vol- $3,229,132 and expenditures of It’s a great feeling. But one unteers, according to Guid- $3,099,047. (See loWers on Page a6) day in the not too distant future ing Eyes documents. Each she will need to say good-bye guide dog team costs between to her newest friend, the not yet $50,000 and $100,000, and 4-month-old Neptune. Those 170 guide dogs are placed each darryl Wheeler/ Gettysburg Times mcsherrystown admiring eyes will be the key to year. neptune, a not yet 4-month old labrador retriever, waits for guiding a new master without For 14 to 16 months, the a treat from Guiding eyes for the blind volunteer anne the gift of sight. puppies will live with unpaid Gallon for guidance. Gallon will spend 14 to 16 months with For six years, Gallon has vol- volunteers, learning to obey neptune, helping him to learn commands and to become police welcome unteered for Guiding Eyes for commands and remain focused socialized. then he’ll return to the new york-based nonprofit the Blind, a New York-based on their task while tempted by organization for professional training so he can eventually nonprofit organization that asks distractions. assist people with vision loss. responsible dog owners to raise Trainers are supposed to gift of gaiters young pups in preparation for expose dogs to lots of differentan eye on Gallon with every work to complete. During the assisting people with vision noises, experiences and social- step. COVID-19 pandemic, the ses- loss. izations. Doing so hasn’t been To build his sense of delayed sions have moved online. “They give me so much joy, quite so easy during a pandem- gratification, Gallon will begin “After four dogs, you pret- but they can really help change ic, when people are reluctant to drop treats on the ground that ty much know what you’re a person’s life,” said Gallon. to come close. Neptune walks Neptune may not eat until giv- doing,” she said. “It’s so sat- “That’s heavy, but that’s really laps at The Outlet Shoppes in en the proper command. Even- isfying to see them go from a why I like doing it.” Gettysburg each day. Gallon tually, she should be able to puppy to an adult dog that is Neptune is no ordinary black structures greetings for those he place kibble in letter formations well behaved.” Lab. He’s the product of a meets. that spell out his name without During Neptune’s stay at 65-year lineage attempting to Early in his training, Nep- so much as a beg or a whine. Gallon’s Cumberland Township produce perfect guide dogs for tune has learned to sit, doing so In normal times, Gallon and home, his medical bills and people with vision loss. Yet comfortably for long periods of Neptune attended one class per vaccinations will be covered by even with science working in time. He also walks comfort- week in Frederick, then came Guiding Eyes. However, volun- their favor, only a little more ably on a loose leash, keeping home with a packet of home- teers must provide nourishment than half of guide dogs make and entertainment — chow and the cut. Others find jobs in drug toys. In addition to his training, enforcement or therapy, and Neptune goes on three 20-min- some simply become pets. ute walks per day and plays “They say the dog finds outside with other dogs in a their own career,” Gallon said. fenced-in yard. “They have to have the right After his Gettysburg stay, temperament.” Neptune will spend six to 12 months working with a pro- courtesy mcsherrystoWn Police fessional instructor. Part of mcsherrystown Police K-9 ozi sports his special customized the intense training includes a bandana provided by treadbands, which also donated face personality evaluation to help gaiters to the human officers. place the dog with the appropri- Times Staff Report Shopping Day1 Till Christmas ate owner, Gallon said. “Some dogs are more asser- A McSherrystown business tive for stronger people, others recently donated customized are more compassionate,” Gal- face gaiters for all officers of lon said. the borough’s police depart- Gallon’s first dog, George, ment, including a special one made the cut. For two years for K-9 member Ozi. he helped a woman get around TreadBands provided the Chicago before an opera- gaiters, which are emblazoned tion forced the woman to give with the department’s name and - Shop Local - up the dog. In his retirement, patch symbol. The donation was Featuring the George got to return to Gettys- “a welcome surprise,” McSher- Works of Many burg to live with the Gallons, rystown Police Chief Michael where he now helps to wel- Woods said Wednesday. Local Artists come new pups at the begin- The gaiters, which provide 30 York Street ning stages of their journey. anti-coronavirus masking for Their second dog, Carlton, officers’ faces, “are breathable Gettysburg, PA made it through six months of 717-334-4250 and very nice,” and “come at a training in New York but he perfect time,” Woods said. www.ArtWorksPA.com courtesy mcsherrystoWn became a little too distracted by Police “We’re all very apprecia- other dogs, trainers told Gallon. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 10am-5pm, mcsherrystown Police chief tive,” he said. “He was too much of a frat Fri. 10am-7pm, Sat., 10am-6pm, submitted Photo michael Woods wears a cus- Donations benefit taxpayers boy. He could never do it,” Gal- Christmas Eve 9am-3pm the second dog anne Gallon worked with was a little too social tomized face gaiter donated by keeping costs down and are lon said with a laugh. to become a guide dog. carlton’s services were put to good use by a business in the borough, always welcome and appreci- when he became a connecticut state Police K-9 officer. (See TRAINS on Page a6) treadbands. ated, Woods said. 57°/37° — Page A6 @gettysburgtimes@Gburg_times @gburg_times A BRAND NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION featuring Charles Dickens’ great-great grandson for a unique in-home viewing experience for the whole family. go to www.gettysburgtimes.com to learn more A6 GettysburG times • thursday, december 24, 2020 GETTYSBURG REGIONAL FORECAST Sunbury 81 REGIONAL CITIES NATIONAL CITIES TODAY TONIGHT FRIDAY SATURDAY 56/42 TODAY FRI. TODAY FRI. 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