“I raise puppies not just to guide, but to give. To give independence to someone who can’t see, to give hope to every person who meets these incredible dogs and learns about The Seeing Eye. Two pups later, I’m still learning, still growing, and still making change—one leash at a time,” said Seeing Eye puppy raiser and Miss Garden State Teen Makayla Snyder.
Makayla first became involved with The Seeing Eye puppy raising program during her first semester in college at The University of Delaware. She started as a puppy sitter, but after moving back home after her first semester, she decided to become a full-time puppy raiser. She is currently raising her second Seeing Eye puppy, Katherine, a yellow Lab.
“My favorite part of being a raiser is being able to help others. And being able to raise a pup with no financial obligations, as a college student, makes everything possible as well.”
Now attending Montclair State University, Makayla plans to bring Katherine to campus just as she did with Zayde, the first Seeing Eye puppy she raised.
“I hope others learn how to get involved and help those who need it. And I would love to become more than just a puppy raiser for The Seeing Eye in the future.”
