Casey Printing controller Sharon Casey, and her son, Tyler, put their love of animals (especially dogs) to use for a very good cause, Guide Dogs For The Blind.  They contribute their time and love as official puppy raisers.

Sharon and Tyler are members of the local guide dog puppy raising club Monterey County Guide Dogs. Led by Sandy Ferguson and Kathryn Yant, they join 13 other members with a passion for caring for animals and helping people. The Casey’s originally became involved with guide dog raising through Tyler’s 4-H club, and have participated for several years.

Guide Dogs for the Blind uses yellow and black Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Lab/Golden Crosses as guides.  The puppies are born at the Guide Dog kennels and placed in the homes of volunteer puppy raisers when they are about two months old.  The puppy raisers socialize the puppies by housebreaking them, teaching them to be good canine citizens and introducing them to new experiences while building their confidence.

The pups are returned to the Guide Dog’s formal training program in San Rafael for guide work training when they are 14 to 18 months old.  After a rigorous, demanding training process, through which many dogs are disqualified, the dogs are matched with visually impaired students enrolled in the school.  The new person/dog team completes an intensive in-residence course, culminating with a graduation ceremony at which the raiser formally presents the dog to the dog’s new partner.

Bravo, pictured here with Sharon and Tyler, was the Casey family’s second Guide Dog puppy. After raising him through the puppy stages he was returned for guide work training and much to his credit was a candidate for graduation. Tyler and Sharon attended a formal ceremony at the Guide Dog campus is San Rafael where Bravo, paired with his new master and friend, graduated with honors!

Sharon and Tyler are currently raising their third Guide Dog puppy, a 6 month old black Labrador named Schneider.

Guide Dogs for the Blind has been creating life-long partnerships in the community by providing skilled dogs and training free of charge since 1942.  They receive no government funding and depend entirely on private donations.  If you know someone who could benefit from a Guide Dog, please let them know about this program.  To get involved, contact Guide Dogs for the Blind at 800-295-4050; or visit www.guidedogs.com.