Guiding Eyes for the Blind Invites Westchester Residents to Change Lives - Including Their Own

In honor of International Assistance Dog Week, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is inviting Westchester residents to get involved in the non-profit’s mission to transform lives through a number of special opportunities for volunteerism and philanthropy. Held August 2-8, International Assistance Dog Week was created to recognize the devoted, hardworking service dogs that help individuals achieve their goals in life. Behind these incredible dogs are thousands of people who make Guiding Eyes’ life-changing work possible.

“International Assistance Dog Week is a time to recognize the importance of service dogs and the freedom they provide,” said Linda Press, vice president of development at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. “It is also the perfect opportunity to celebrate the amazing achievements of our graduates who, with Guiding Eyes dogs by their side, are able to experience all of life’s adventures.”

Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of four, Abigail Lanier received her first Guiding Eyes dog, Alexa, shortly before entering college. The pair conquered four years at Appalachian State University together and Lanier, now 23, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies and a Minor in General Business. “My relationship with Alexa has transformed my life. We’ve been through many challenges together, but continue to come out on the other side stronger,” she shares.

In 2013, Lanier was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. “It was Alexa who laid at my side when I received the news. She handled the logistics of battling the disease with ease. Whenever there were no words — and a very broken heart — it was her black coat that would catch my tears.”

Guiding Eyes Alexa confidently escorted Lanier out of her last radiation treatment in January 2014. The pair celebrated by traveling to Washington DC where Lanier, now with no trace of cancer, completed the Nike Women’s Half Marathon. “There are no words to describe what it means to confidently and independently get around with the best companion at my side. Alexa is completely priceless.”

Guiding Eyes for the Blind makes a profound and immediate difference in peoples’ lives, creating and supporting life-changing connections between people and exceptional dogs. The non-profit provides guide dogs, professional training, and lifetime support services to people with vision loss at no cost to them, depending solely on contributions to fulfill its mission. Additionally, Guiding Eyes places specially trained service dogs with children on the autism spectrum.

“We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors and volunteers for helping our graduates find new independence and the confidence to live life more fully,” said Press. “There are many ways to get involved in our organization and really make a difference.”

Guiding Eyes’ vast network of volunteers spans twelve states throughout the Northeast. Volunteers are key to raising, training, and socializing the non-profit’s future guide dogs as well as supporting its operations in Yorktown Heights and Patterson, NY. Puppy raisers welcome 8-week-old puppies into their homes with full support from Guiding Eyes, including training classes and free vet care, for a 14 to 16 month period before sending them off to their calling as guide dogs.

The organization also offers a number of unique donation opportunities, such as sponsoring a graduation ceremony or naming a future guide dog puppy. Partnerships with Amazon Smile, eBay and Goodsearch allow shoppers to contribute to Guiding Eyes through their purchases. Supporters are also invited to honor the special people or pets in their life with a memorial or tribute gift or help further Guiding Eyes’ mission with their own in-kind gift of goods, services or expertise.

To learn more about Guiding Eyes’ volunteer opportunities or to make a donation online, visit www.guidingeyes.org. Cell phone users may text the word “GUIDE” to phone number 80888 to donate $10 to further Guiding Eyes’ programs and services.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, NY. They can be reached at 914.245.4024 or by visiting www.guidingeyes.org. For the latest news, please visit Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/guidingeyes).

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guiding Eyes (www.guidingeyes.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides guide dogs to people with vision loss as well as service dogs to children with autism. The organization is passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals and families for greater independence. Since its inception in 1954, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its accredited training programs and lifetime commitment to its graduating teams. Guiding Eyes is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission and provides all services free of charge.