FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Barlak
(973) 539-4425
mbarlak@seeingeye.org
August 31, 2026
MORRISTOWN, N.J. – On August 15, 2025, The Seeing Eye honored four long-time puppy raisers with induction to the “The Seeing Eye 21 Club,” a special honor for volunteers who have raised at least 21 Seeing Eye® puppies. The non-profit also honored the Seeing Eye puppy raising club volunteers with three awards, the Outstanding Leadership Award, the 45-year Leader Award and the 20-year Leader Award. Finally, 18 exceptional college-bound puppy raisers were awarded college scholarships totaling $56,000.
“I’m grateful to all of the incredible volunteers who share our passion for The Seeing Eye mission. We couldn’t do this impactful work without you,” said Seeing Eye President and CEO Karen Leies. “It takes a special person to welcome a puppy into their home, raise it with love and care for a year, and then watch proudly as they go on to fulfill their destiny as a Seeing Eye dog. It takes a superhero to do it 21 times like the four families we honored at Family Day this year!”
Leies urged people who live in or near counties with a Seeing Eye Puppy Raiser Club to become involved with the program.
“With multiple new litters planned for the coming months, we are actively seeking new puppy raisers and puppy sitters. If you are a dog lover looking to join a community of like-minded individuals, now is the perfect time to connect with us to learn what raising is all about,” she said.
Outstanding Club Leadership Award
Kate Christie, Harleysville, Pa. (Montgomery County Puppy Raising Club)
45-Year Leader Award
Carmella Passaro, Rockaway, N.J. (Essex County Puppy Raising Club)
20-Year Leader Award
Kim Tzap, Mt. Laurel, N.J. (Burlington County Puppy Raising Club)
21 Club Honorees (4):
Melissa & Katie Baumgartner, Madison, N.J. (Morris County, SE Puppy Raising Club)
Yvonne Leung-Van Hassel, Millville, N.J. (Cumberland County Puppy Raising Club)
The Oplinger Family, Wescosville, Pa. (Lehigh County Puppy Raising Club)
The Passamano Family, West Orange, N.J. (Essex County Puppy Raising Club)
Scholarship recipients (18): To qualify, students have raised at least two Seeing Eye puppies, demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and are active in their communities.
Owen Armstrong, Madison, N.J. (Morris County, SE Puppy Raising Club) University of Notre Dame
Daniel Barnes, West Caldwell, N.J. (Essex County Puppy Raising Club) The College of New Jersey
Tess Coffey, Scotch Plains, N.J. (Somerset County Puppy Raising Club) Boston College
Sarah de Jong, Plainsboro, N.J. (Middlesex County Puppy Raising Club) Northeastern University
Cormac Gibbons, Sparta, N.J. (Sussex County Puppy Raising Club) Virginia Tech
Nina Hearn, Chalfont, Pa. (Bucks County Puppy Raising Club) La Salle University
Ava Linton, Barnegat, N.J. (Ocean County Puppy Raising Club) The College of New Jersey
Maiya Maldonado, Woodland Park, N.J. (Essex County Puppy Raising Club) Montclair State University
Katelyn McElroy, Blairstown, N.J. (Warren County Puppy Raising Club) University of Delaware
Grace Monday, Greencastle, Pa. (Franklin County Puppy Raising Club) Hagerstown Community College
Taylor Murphy, Bear, Del. (New Castle County Puppy Raising Club) Goldey-Beacom College
Grace Nemetz, Basking Ridge, N.J. (Somerset County Puppy Raising Club) University of Delaware
Shane Noack, Chatham, N.J. (Morris County, SE Puppy Raising Club) University of Vermont
Sophia Robina, Chester, N.J. (Morris County, SW Puppy Raising Club) Sarah Lawrence College
Joy Sedlacek, Kinnelon, N.J. (Passaic Puppy Raising Club) Work-study Program
Naomi Smith, Allentown, Pa. (Lehigh County Puppy Raising Club) Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Valente, Union, N.J. (Essex Puppy Raising Club) Union College of Union County NJ
Forest Yang, Livingston, N.J. (Essex Puppy Raising Club) Lehigh University
A puppy raiser family is responsible for providing a loving and nurturing home environment for approximately one year. During that time, the raiser is responsible for teaching basic obedience, house manners, bringing the puppy to Seeing Eye puppy club meetings and socialization trips in their area. The Seeing Eye puppy could be a German shepherd, Labrador retriever, golden retriever, or a Labrador/golden retriever cross.
Puppy raisers must live within New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware or New York so they can attend regular puppy club meetings where they will receive help and coaching with their puppies. All veterinary and food expenses are covered by The Seeing Eye. If a Seeing Eye puppy does not graduate from the program, the family who raised the puppy is offered the first option to adopt the puppy they raised. For more information visit seeingeye.org/raise.
Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye dog handlers experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles. The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts.
The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org, call (973) 539-4425, or email info@seeingeye.org.
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