This wraps up my posts of my Leader Dog training experience.

Now that we are home, “L” and I are officially launched on our new partnership together. We have a lot of work to do going forward, but we have had a very positive and solid beginning with our training at Leader Dogs for the Blind. It will only get better!

If you see us around, say hi. Use your name so I know who you are. Speak to me, not the dog. If I’m busy with “L” and can’t chat in the moment, I will say so, and please don’t take it personally; I’m happy to chat, though, when I can.

Supporting Leader Dogs for the Blind

Leader Dogs for the Blind is truly an amazing charity. However, it costs a lot of money to train the dogs; each client/dog team costs approximately $40,000 (there is no cost to the blind client). Leader Dogs for the Blind is supported by private donations and fundraising only; they receive no federal or state funding.

Leader Dog was founded by the Lions in 1939, and Lions Clubs International continues to be a mainstay in funding, providing $2 million of the school’s $12 million annual budget. Lions clubs across the United States and Canada are one of the main supporters of Leader Dog. Although they are an American school, Leader Dog welcomes people outside of the United States with open arms – they are truly an international school. If you are a Lion, consider encouraging your club to donate.

As well as Lions Clubs and corporate donations, the school also depends greatly on private donations and fundraising efforts. If you would like to make a direct donation to support Leader Dog, go to Leader Dogs for the Blind and click on the Donate link.

For anyone who has enjoyed learning about Leader Dog and my training experience through these posts, please consider helping Leader Dog do what they do by signing up for the AmazonSmile program. For every purchase you make through the AmazonSmile program, Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of your purchase to Leader Dogs for the Blind. It will cost you nothing, and you will still get the stuff that you absolutely can’t live without at no extra cost! Leader Dog benefits greatly from this fundraising program.

Go to:

https://smile.amazon.com/

Search for: Leader Dogs for the Blind and select them as your charity.

Now shop through the Smile.Amazon.com page to support Leader Dog. Yes, I believe this carries over to the amazon.ca site for Canadian shoppers.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing this wonderful journey. It is only the beginning. I may post now and again to share our progress and achievements at home.

Until then … happy tails and happy trails!

Go To Chapter 21: Etiquette When You Meet A Guide Dog Team

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