Leader Dogs, their trainers, and friends filled Kruse and Muer restaurants around Oakland County, Jan. 18, including Deer Lake in Independence Township.
‘It’s pretty amazing, an amazing turnout,? said Lisa O’Brien, there with her puppy, Pippa, and fellow trainers Charlie and Linda Britton. “This lets people know what a great thing we have right in Rochester.”
Leader Dogs for the Blind, based in Rochester, provides trained guide dogs free to those in need around the world. Volunteers provide socialization for potential leader dogs. There are about 20 puppy trainers in the Clarkston and Waterford areas.
“Our job is to socialize the dogs and make sure they don’t get distracted,” said O’Brien, who is raising her second puppy. “We go everywhere.”
Once socialized, leader dogs are matched with prospective clients, then go through a 26-day residential training program with them.
“It’s amazing what these dogs do,” O’Brien said.
The next local Leader Dog for the Blind fund raiser will be on March 24 at The Lakes restaurant on Dixie Highway.
? Phil Custodio