The Guide Fall 2016
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FINAL Guide Fall 2016.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/16 1:52 PM Page 1 Fall 2016 | Volume 82, Number 2 The Seeing Eye® GUIDEA MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS OF THE SEEING EYE INSIDE: Golden Girl FINAL Guide Fall 2016.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/16 1:52 PM Page 2 The Seeing Eye® GUIDEA MAGAZINE FOR FRIENDS OF THE SEEING EYE A Seeing Eye Perspective Puppy raisers have been part of The Seeing Eye family since month, the puppies are our founding – actually, since before our founding, as Dorothy brought together for puppy Harrison Eustis used a similar model at Fortunate Fields in raiser meetings, where they Switzerland. Breeding and training German shepherds for use learn how to interact with other in police work, Dorothy did not want her newly whelped dogs and humans. They must puppies to spend their formative years in kennels and dog runs. demonstrate obedience, such Instead, once the puppies were weaned, they were given to as sitting or lying down on local farmers who would raise them. There, each puppy would command, not jumping on learn good house manners, basic commands, and how to people, and waiting patiently without fussing or crying… all behave around people and other animals. Then, the families important traits they will use later in their adult life. were asked to do the impossible: to give those wonderful puppies back! And then… a little more than a year later, when the dog is finally a perfect little lady or gentleman… the dogs return to our Nearly 90 years later, puppy raisers are still doing the campus in Morristown, New Jersey. Puppy raisers tell us it’s impossible. Every year, approximately 500 puppy raiser hard to let them go… but when they hear the stories about our families welcome our adorable 7-week-old puppies into their graduates and their amazing accomplishments, facilitated by homes. And it’s a good thing they’re adorable, because as you the confidence and independence bolstered by a Seeing Eye® can imagine, those first few months can be difficult. Shoes get dog, they know it is all worth it. chewed, rugs get stained, and fur gets shed. Usually twice a Or perhaps that dog will go onto fulfill another destiny. Some of our dogs go into law enforcement, sniffing out suspicious CONTENTS packages or searching for contraband in prisons. Or as a therapy dog, bringing comfort to people who are sick. Some of our dogs listen patiently to children as they read aloud, helping Fall 2016 | Volume 82, Number 2 them improve their reading skills. Others serve as ambassador dogs for us, visiting schools, businesses, and other groups that are interested in learning more about The Seeing Eye. 1 Letters to The Seeing Eye But it all starts with puppies… and puppy raisers. 2 Golden Girl: Becca Meyers However you support us – whether it’s by raising puppies, 4 Family Day: volunteering on campus, or your generous financial donations – The Seeing Eye thank you. Your dedication and devotion is what makes all of Celebrates Puppy Raisers this possible. 6 Thank You, Volunteers! Sincerely, James A. Kutsch, Jr. 7 From the Archives President & CEO, The Seeing Eye 8 News Highlights ON THE COVER: Becca Meyers won three gold medals and a silver medal while setting two world records in swimming at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in September. She kisses her Seeing Eye dog, a yellow Labrador/golden retriever cross named Birdie, on the campus at The Seeing Eye. FINAL Guide Fall 2016.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/16 1:52 PM Page 3 letters TO THE SEEING EYE Dear Seeing Eye: Dear Seeing Eye: adding a puppy to an already stressful environment. I knew enough about the I have known my dog Siri for a year and On Saturday, August 6, we said goodbye adoption program at The Seeing Eye and he is the best friend I could ever want. It’s to our beloved yellow Lab, Kit. We defused the situation by adding our name amazing how time has flown, almost as adopted her from your program back in to the list. After four years, we were amazing as Siri flies me through the April of 2004. But, that was not the invited to come over for an interview and, environment, getting me safely from point beginning of the story. if all went well, to meet a dog. A to B with joyful exuberance. When I was in high school and college in The four of us came in the Spring of To know Siri is to experience a sweet, the late 1960s and early 70s, I did part- 2004, had our interview, and were intelligent, and thoroughly beautiful spirit. time work, mostly in his Park Square carefully screen and observed. I distinctly The people who raised this animal should Building office, for Morris S. Frank. For remember the moment Kit was brought be commended and I am so grateful for many years as a side assignment to my into the room. She was the most elegant such solid training of Siri. He is easy to after school job at William E. Seely, Inc., I and beautiful animal I had ever seen. I understand and very well-mannered. assisted Mr. Frank in his insurance was slightly overwhelmed, intimidated, When we are in public and not moving, business. It was there that I got to know and worried about being worthy of such a say at a restaurant, people don’t even him, learn more about his role in The noble animal of such great pedigree, know he is there. This is quite a feat Seeing Eye, and observe his relationship tradition, and standing. considering his stunning good looks. with his Buddys. Little did I understand When we are moving, he leads with the way back then just how the depth of the We were fortunate enough to bring her utmost of confidence, so long as he knows bond between this man and his dog home with us. The next several weeks where he’s going. Even if he doesn’t, he is would resonate in me decades later. were awkward and a little pensive as Kit’s a pretty good guesser. On the rare During these years, I was fortunate training and the environment in our home occasion we get lost, it isn’t for long and enough to accompany Mr. Frank around came to mesh. I like to say that Kit I’m never alone. the Green, to his favorite lunch spots on eventually regressed to the level of my occasion, and to visit his home and meet kids, but that is in fact a great insult to Kit. In closing, I just want you to know I am his lovely wife, Lois. I remember one day She was in fact as close to the most doing my best to take great care of this sitting in his home kitchen in Brookside perfect pet one could ever ask for. In time dog because I love him. Thank you so and watched him snap the ends off a she fit right in and became a steadfast much! colander of green beans. Of course, his part of the fabric of our family. fingers were adept at so much work. I Thomas J. Whalen Jr. remember having him show me photos of To say that our lives have been profoundly Seeing Eye graduate himself riding an elephant in India. I impacted by the addition of Kit to our remember being in awe of this man’s family is a tremendous understatement. In courage and determination as he strode our eyes and in our hearts she was the confidently around town and the world finest dog ever. She was completely Dear Seeing Eye: with his dog as his lifeline in the form of loved, adored, and indulged in the most his eyes. These times I never forgot. cherishing of ways. For every single day To everyone who helped with “Bring Your that we had her, our lives were better. Child To Work Day” at The Seeing Eye, Time went on and I went off to college, THANK YOU!! married, and had two children of my Marianne, George, Christin, own. As in the normal course of things, and Ryan Hanley I had the best time! my kids began to ask for a dog to become a member of our household. I will never forget such an awesome day During this time, my mom was in the I had with the dogs. throes of her long-term battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Needless to say, I Landon Pudlak had a lot on my plate and could not see THE SEEING EYE GUIDE 1 FINAL Guide Fall 2016.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/16 1:52 PM Page 4 cover story On land or in the water, it’s not easy to keep up with Becca Meyers. The junior at Franklin & Marshall College is a two straws,” she said. In August 2015, flash of light that tells her to start, but the light speed demon when she’s working with her Becca came to The Seeing Eye and was goes off a fraction of a second after the beep Seeing Eye dog, a yellow Labrador/ golden matched with Birdie. sounds, giving Becca a big disadvantage in cross named Birdie. a sport where the winner is measured in “I always knew I wanted a Seeing Eye dog,” hundredths of a second. “Birdie is amazing,” Becca says. “When it is Becca said. “I wanted someone that could be time to work, she knows it. She takes off! I by my side 24/7.