Westbrook Shortell NCC News
The Blind are Once Again Finding Their Lost Independence.
The Blind are Once Again Finding Their Lost Independence.
Outside Utica, New York there is a non for profit organization helping people regain their lost sight. Freedom Guide Dogs has been training guide dogs for visually impaired for years. Bill Irwin, a Vietnam Vet, lost his eyesight to Diabetes ten years ago. He said he and his dog share a close bond. "I tell people a guide dog is almost an extension of your arm, because you get so close and they get so in tune to you." Irwin recently received his third guide dog, Toga. Irwin said his last guide dog Rusty gave saved him from a close call. "A couple years ago on the SU hill, Rusty gave me a close call traffic check... I gave Rusty the command to cross the street and he wouldn't move- and then I heard a car come- and I said, ok Rusty, if you weren't here I would have walked right out in front of that car." It situations like these that Irwin says people with sight take for granted.
Hometown Training
Freedom guide dogs offers a unique type of guide dog training. Hometown training brings the dogs to their handlers. Other guide dog schools have visually impaired people come to dorms sometimes hours from their homes. Trainer Anne Mercer said its easier for people to learn in their hometown. "I like the hometown training because the people are more comfortable. They're sleeping in their own beds…they're in familiar territory."
Puppy Power
Before dogs like Toga starts hometown training, their real training begins at birth. Part of the Freedom Guide Dog training process is getting their puppies used to distractions. Director of Development Nicole White said, "you'd be amazed what a difference it makes later on when they're training to become guide dogs." Puppies are raised by a foster family for two years before the guide dog training begins and White says, "there is an80 to 85 percent success rate with guide dogs… if a dog doesn't work out the puppy raiser gets the first choice of adopting the dog."
Man's Best Friend
While people like Irwin may have lost their eyesight… they can gain not only a helpful partner, but also a new
found friend. Irwin said "They're just great companions." Toga's role is important, but after the harness comes off, the two are still… just a man and his dog.
While people like Irwin may have lost their eyesight… they can gain not only a helpful partner, but also a new
found friend. Irwin said "They're just great companions." Toga's role is important, but after the harness comes off, the two are still… just a man and his dog. 
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