From the breeding program, through puppy raising, training, and matching dogs with blind people, Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, California and Boring, Oregon provides an exceptional service. Dedicated to fostering lifelong partnerships between trained mobility dogs and blind or visually impaired individuals, Guide Dogs sets a standard for what can be accomplished when teamwork is the goal. In these entertaining and informative 15-20 minute interviews, you'll learn what it takes to create and nurture a guide dog.
Episode 16: GDB Alumni Association Board Chair
Paul Walker speaks about the purpose of the GDB Alumni Association, his experience and observations with the new two- and three-week training classes and welcoming his second Guide Dog Avanti into his life. (17 min.)
Episode 15: Seth Webster Regains His Courage
The idea of getting a Guide Dog started Seth Webster on a journey to reclaim his life and active lifestyle after he lost his vision. Today, Seth credits his beautiful black Lab Bamboo as instrumental in helping him regain his independence and courage. (6 min.)
Episode 14: Dan McKay - Proving His Independence
Dan McKay of South Porcupine, Ontario, Canada recently won an award for his advocacy work for people who are blind or disabled. He is a true believer in interdependence and proves it everyday with his Guide Dog Avery. (27 min.)
Episode 13: Debbie Combs: Expanding the Dream
Although Debbie's dream of a career as a guide dog instructor was never fully realized, she and her family have been raising Guide Dog puppies since 1992 and her daughter is an instructor for GDB. Debbie co-leads a puppy raising club and works for the Washington State School for the Blind in Vancouver, Washington. One woman's dream has changed so many people's lives. (18 min.)
Episode 12: She's Only Blind
Erin Rumer was the featured speaker at Guide Dogs' Oregon Fall Luncheon in November 2009. She tells the story of her parents' response to having a child with vision loss and how her Guide Dogs, including her current guide, Provo, have helped her discover the joy of moving through life at a natural pace. (13 min.)
Episode 11: Margo Roberts
Margo Roberts shares tales of her life with Fergie, her standard poodle Guide Dog. (11 min.)
Episode 10: The View From Here
In this recording from our 1997 archives, Patricia Pace talks about what a Guide Dog looks like from her end of the harness. (6 min.)
Episode 9: Travels with Will and Fantom
Morgan Watkins shares a moving and humorous story of his life and his Guide Dogs Will and Fantom. (15 min.)
Episode 8: Life with a Guide Dog
Maile George shares how her guide dog has enhanced her life. Her father, Fred George, a volunteer docent, says that without a guide dog, he's not sure Maile would have survived. (15 min.)
Episode 7: Training a Blind Person and His Guide Dog
Meeting and learning to work with one's new guide dog is an exciting time. Richard Faubion shares his enthusiasm and is joined by his instructor, Jessica Drew. (15 min.)
Episode 6: Turning Puppies into Guide Dogs
Long before a guide dog meets his human partner, he's been thoroughly trained by a team of experts. Instructor Adam Waskow explains what's involved. (19 min.)
Episode 5: Veterinary Care for Guide Dogs
Ensuring the health of Guide Dogs and Guide Dog puppies is the work of a very special team of veterinarians. Learn about this exciting work in an interview with Medical Director Dr. Jeff Williams. (20 min.)
Episode 4: Raising Puppies
From 8 weeks to about 18 months, Guide Dog puppies are lovingly raised by volunteers in their homes. Enjoy an interview with puppy raiser and leader Kay Blachley as she explains what's involved in the commitment. (14 min.)
Episode 3: The Puppy Stork
Can you think of a more fulfilling job than traveling throughout the West making home deliveries to puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind? Meet Mick Aguilera, affectionately called "The Puppy Stork." (15 min.)
Episode 2: Newborn Puppies
Countless hours of hard work and care go into nurturing our precious puppies during their first 8 weeks of life. Turn on your speakers and listen in as we take you behind-the-scenes in an interview with Mark Bollinger, Assistant Manager of our kennels. Mark will take you on a journey into the secret life of a Guide Dog puppy in those amazing first days of life. (23 min.)
Episode 1: Breeding the Best Guide Dogs
We begin our exciting series of audio interviews at the beginning, of course — with an in-depth interview with our resident breeding expert, Director Marina Hall. Turn on your speakers or plug in those ear buds and tune in to hear what goes into the process of producing some of the very best dogs in the world — the beautiful babies that grow up to become working Guide Dogs. (18 min.)
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