Southeastern Guide Dogs: Building a Warm Welcome

If you have followed this column, you may be familiar with the process of creating world class guide dogs.  Puppies begin their training from birth, and are then sent to live with volunteers throughout the southeastern US to learn basic obedience and be socialized to every aspect of life.  When the pups are 14-16 months old, their puppy raisers return them to us to begin formal harness training.  Kind of like dropping a kid off at college, the puppy raisers watch as their charges are trotted off to the Assessment Kennel.  Well, that kennel is in need of some freshening-up therefore, we have launched a fundraising project for a brand new Canine Assessment Center.

The current Assessment Kennel has been on our campus for over 26 years, but with the growth of the programs, is sorely lacking in needed space and amenities.  “Our dogs are our highest priority and we want to ensure they are as comfortable during their training as possible” stated Titus Herman, CEO. “This new facility will not only be a welcoming area for the dogs, but also allow our trainers the adequate space needed to assess the strengths of each dog as they move further into the training program.”

This proposed $1 million, 5,000-square-foot facility will welcome dogs with improved lighting and enhanced moisture and noise control, and a plethora of other enhancements. There will be separate runs for male and female dogs, a canine enrichment area for grooming and socialization, a behavior assessment area, and dedicated kennel space for dogs with medical needs. With a lab area, office space, laundry stations, and storage area, this new Assessment Center will serve Southeastern’s dogs for years to come.

Because of the generosity of Sarasota donor, Keith G. Hirst, the project already has a headstart. Hirst has generously established a matching donation challenge, committing to match, dollar-for-dollar, other donations up to $500,000 for the project between now and December 31, 2013.  Supporters may visit www.guidedogs.org/hirstchallenge to donate and have their contribution count double.  There are also a number of recognition opportunities for various areas of the center such as the outdoor play yards, temperament assessment room, and the veterinary clinic.

The fundraising campaign was kicked off at an invitation-only reception and plan reveal on April 18, 2013 at our Southeastern Guide Dogs Sarasota Training Center and Dog Boutique, attended by Hirst and many other supporters of our mission. “When I learned about Southeastern Guide Dogs and its accomplishments, I knew I wanted to help. The school, the guide dogs, and the graduates are doing outstanding work, and I’m excited about the possibilities for transforming lives” said Hirst “As the school and the waiting list continue to grow, the time has come to build a new Canine Assessment Center. And I’m thrilled to help make it possible.”