Central New York’s service dog organization, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, created a new training program where dogs go through additional training to be paired to blind owners who run, and want to still be able to participate in the activity.
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Reporter: Local CNY service dog organization, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, recently implemented a new guide dog training initiative, The Running Guide Program. This program allows blind owners to stay physically fit by being partnered with a guide dog that performs all its necessary skills, but at a running pace. Guiding Eyes, regional coordinator, Mary Oonk, believes it takes an exceptional dog to be in the program.
Mary Oonk: “It’s taking a guide dog who has all those skills necessary to guide their person and keep them safe and help them, but doing it at a higher speed.”
Reporter: These dogs go through additional training to learn how to behave properly, but when out running, jogging or even speed walking with their owners.
Mary Oonk: “And it just takes a dog that is willing to do just that little bit of extra and really enjoys, and that’s really key, is that they enjoy the work that a running guide does.”
Reporter: Guiding Eyes is a nonprofit organization and relies entirely on donations. If you wish to help further their cause, you can donate at https://www.guidingeyes.org. Victoria Daly, N-C-C News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Local CNY service dog organization, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, recently implemented a new guide dog training initiative, The Running Guide Program. This program allows blind owners to stay physically fit by being partnered with a guide dog that performs all its necessary skills, but at a running pace. Guiding Eyes, regional coordinator, Mary Oonk, believes it takes an exceptional dog to be in the program.
“It’s taking a guide dog who has all those skills necessary to guide their person and keep them safe and help them, but doing it at a higher speed.”
These dogs go through additional training to learn how to behave properly, but when out running, jogging or even speed walking with their owners.
“And it just takes a dog that is willing to do just that little bit of extra and really enjoys, and that’s really key, is that they enjoy the work that a running guide does,” Oonk says.
Guiding Eyes is a nonprofit organization and relies entirely on donations. If you wish to help further their cause, you can donate at https://www.guidingeyes.org.