LOCALish Bay Area Highlights GDB’s Guide Dog Program
Our life-changing mission and the impact our guide dogs have on our clients was recently featured on the ABC Bay Area TV program Localish.
In the TV segment, GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger says guide dogs help clients lead safer, more independent, and more inclusive lives. GDB Client Graham Norwood, also interviewed, describes his guide dog Malcolm as a “great companion” who helps him quickly move through the streets of San Francisco. The TV segment also features footage and photos of trainers working with guide dogs on our San Rafael campus.
It’s never easy saying goodbye to a guide dog that has retired or passed. Clients live with their guide dogs 24/7 and the bond that develops between them is powerful. Just ask Joan Robinson, whose retired guide dog Tallulah passed away last year.
Their remarkable partnership began on our Oregon Campus in April 2010. In eight and a half years together, Joan and Tallulah had many adventures together including 20 trips to Europe to attend choral experiences and music festivals.
Helping Airport and Airline Employees Understand Guide Dog Users’ Social Distancing Challenges
Guide Dogs for the Blind has partnered with The Seeing Eye, Inc. to assist guide dog teams as they navigate the changing landscape of airport travel during these pandemic times. The collaboration of these two industry-leading guide dog schools has resulted in a training video for airport and airline employees about the best practices for assisting a guide dog team through the airport while maintaining health safety protocols.
Both schools extend our warm thanks to our partners at Alaska Airlines and United for jumping in to assist with the project and their commitment to prioritizing accessibility and inclusion in their safety training and protocols.
Our Wags & Wisdom panel is just one example of how GDB is inviting alumni to educate and inspire teens and young adults who are exploring the guide dog lifestyle. Our panel of guide dog graduates shared their experiences and their insight.
Marinscope, a California newspaper, recently joined the online seminar to hear their stories. Panelist Jake Olson, who lost his sight at age 12, knew he wanted a guide dog as soon as possible. “One of the silver linings is having a guide dog and having that presence next to you.”
GDB Debuts Animated Video at Canine Heroes Fundraising Gala
Not all heroes wear capes…some are furry and walk on four legs! That was the opening statement from our new animated short video that debuted at our Canine Heroes Virtual Gala last Sunday. The event was a huge success, raising more than $350,000 for our guide dog programs! The animated video shows how a young puppy becomes a guide dog that helps empower clients to live a life with greater mobility, independence, and inclusion.
GDB Veterinarian Joins Lawsuit Challenging Telemedicine Regulations in California That Restrict Access to Veterinary Care
GDB Veterinarian Dr. Kate Kuzminski has joined a lawsuit challenging the regulations of the California Veterinary Medical Board that restrict veterinarians from providing advice or care via telemedicine for an owner’s animal until the veterinarian examines the animal in person.
Guide Dogs for the Blind supports Dr. Kuzminski and our veterinary partners who provide care for our thousands of guide dogs and puppies, and we believe that telemedicine should be another tool for providing care, with discretion to determine whether telemedicine is appropriate in an individual case.
