VIDEO: Deep River’s Kris Lindner Raises Dogs to Help the Blind

DEEP RIVER– Deep River’s Kris Lindner recently celebrated the graduation of Barton, a yellow Labrador Retriever she trained from nine weeks of age to work as a service dog for the blind and visually impaired.

Lindner is a volunteer puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization that trains dogs and pairs them with those in need free of charge. To date the organization has paired more than 7,000 guide dog teams, with more than 400 volunteers across the eastern United States help to raise and train puppies.

Raisers are provided the necessary training & support from a volunteer coordinator. After approximately a year and a half, puppy raisers return the dogs to Guiding Eyes for evaluation. Dogs that pass their tests begin formal training with Guiding Eyes guide dog instructors. After four to six months of rigorous training, the dogs are fully prepared to assist their future blind partner in traveling safely and more confidently.

Lindner is now training a new puppy, India.

Links:
Guiding Eyes for the Blind