Returning to TSE
What happens when your puppy returns to The Seeing Eye to begin formal training as a Seeing Eye® dog
Returning the Puppy to The Seeing Eye
What happens when it is time for the puppy to be returned to The Seeing Eye?
Before you come here: Quarantine!
Prior to returning the puppy to The Seeing Eye, he or she must be quarantined from club meetings or outings. These procedures also may apply if the puppy must temporarily return to campus for another reason, such as a scheduled medical procedure. Please use the guidelines below and speak to your area coordinator if you have any questions.
Returning to The Seeing Eye for Formal Training or for a Medical Procedure at The Seeing Eye
Please remember if you have overlapping puppies (you have two puppies in your home that are actively being raised as Seeing Eye puppies), these rules apply for BOTH dogs in the house until the older dog returns for training.
- No club meetings or outing 14 days prior to the puppy returning to campus
- No puppy play dates with other dogs in the club 14 days prior to the puppy returning to campus
- Please do not puppy sit another TSE puppy while your puppy is in quarantine
- If you need a puppy sitter during the 14 days prior to your puppy’s return date, please let your club leader know as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made with someone who does not have a puppy in their home.
- Puppies can still go out for socialization, but please do not take them to places that are highly populated with dogs and do NOT go out with any other TSE puppies. If you are overlapping, both puppies in your home may go out together.
- Puppies should not be with any dogs from an outside organization for 14 days prior to their return to campus.
When Boarding Personal Pets
- If your pet dog was boarded at a boarding facility, then your TSE puppy must be quarantined from club meetings and activities for 14 days.
Getting to The Seeing Eye
The Seeing Eye’s Washington Valley campus is located at 1 Seeing Eye Way, Morristown, NJ 07960. Please note some GPS apps will send you to 1 Searing Avenue, rather than 1 Seeing Eye Way. If your GPS does not recognize 1 Seeing Eye Way, go to the corner of Washington Valley Road and Mendham Road in Morris Township.
Reports
The Seeing Eye asks you to complete reports about the puppy.
Puppy Profile
Puppy Development just launched the new Puppy Profile for every dog. The puppy profile is the information that will be passed on to the person who receives the puppy that you have raised. This provides them with information about their time in Puppy Development, the profile of who raised them, where they have been, and stories that you would like to share. When our graduates are matched with their dog, they look forward to this information!
Final Report
Final reports are an extremely important part of the puppy raising process. Once the dogs are assigned for training, the instructors read the final reports that the puppy raisers provide. All information in the reports helps to give the instructors a good picture of what the puppy was like during their time in Puppy Development. A complete final report helps the instructor to also determine the type of match that would be good for the dog.
Training Schedule
After a medical evaluation, the dog is assigned to a Seeing Eye instructor.
- Instructors are assigned a “string” of about 6-8 dogs that they work with daily for approximately 4 months.
- At the end of the 4 month period, the instructor goes into class with anywhere from 20-24 students. Dogs can be selected for class with their original assigned instructor OR they may be reassigned to a new instructor for more work on honing their skills.
- If it is determined that a dog is not suitable for work, the dog is offered back to the puppy raising family first.
Prior to Being Assigned to an Instructor
This time period prior to being assigned to an instructor is approximately one month; you will not have any updates about the puppy that you raised during this time. This does not mean that the dogs is not busy during this time! This time includes the following: pre-training physical by a Seeing Eye veterinarian, hip x-ray, castrated/spayed if not being considered for breeding, adjustment to the kennel and kennel staff.
Assignment to an Instructor
1st week: Basic obedience on property at The Seeing Eye. Getting to know the instructor and introduction to the harness
2nd week: Start on simple quiet areas in Morristown with dog working in harness
3rd week: Working on quiet streets and slow introductions to town environment. The dog is learning to avoid obstacles, etc.
4th week: Work on streets with more traffic and introduction to more serious work. The dog is gaining more responsibility.
5th week: Work on more complex intersections and introduction to more work inside buildings.
6th week: First blindfold – the dog is evaluated on its work in harness with its blindfolded instructor. Introduction to train station – boarding trains and riding buses. Family will receive a post card about how the dog is doing.
7th – 15th weeks: Training involves the polishing of guide work. At this time we try to replicate tasks the dog will be exposed to while working with a blind person. Toward the end of this period, the family is invited to observe the dog working in Morristown and meet the dog’s instructor. This is called the “Town Walk”.
The Town Walk
The Town Walk is a chance to see the result of all your dedication as well as the skill of Seeing Eye instructors!
Meet our Town Walk hosts! From left to right: Rita LaBrutto, Jackie Sweigart, Robyn Oplinger, Loreli Stochaj, Deb Brodhecker, and Peggy Grow.
The Town Walk Meeting Location is 14 Maple Avenue, Morristown NJ 07960.
From points North in Pennsylvania and New Jersey: Interstate 80 West to Interstate 287 South to Morristown, exiting at Exit 35/South St./Madison AVE (Rt-124). Turn right on South Street. Turn left on Dehart Street. First intersection is Dehart and Maple. Turn right on Maple and The Seeing Eye’s downtown training center is in the second building on the right. There is a street parking or a parking garage at the facility. The entrance to the parking garage is off of Dehart Street. Please meet your town walk host in the lobby of the building- please DO NOT wait outside.
From Central Pennsylvania and points west:
Route 78 East to Interstate 287 North to Morristown, Exit 35/South Street/Madison Ave (Rt-124). Turn left on South Street. Turn left on Dehart Street. First intersection is Dehart and Maple. Turn right on Maple and The Seeing Eye’s downtown training center is in the second building on the right. There is a street parking or a parking garage at the facility. The entrance to the parking garage is off of Dehart Street. Please meet your town walk host in the lobby of the building — please DO NOT wait outside.
From Philadelphia and points south:
New Jersey Turnpike North to Interstate 287 North to Morristown, Exit 35/South St./Madison Ave (Rt- 124) Turn left on South Street. Turn left on Dehart Street. First intersection is Dehart and Maple. Turn right on Maple and The Seeing Eye’s downtown training center is in the second building on the right. There is a street parking or a parking garage at the facility. The entrance to the parking garage is off of Dehart Street. Please meet your town walk host in the lobby of the building — please DO NOT wait outside.
Please note: bathroom facilities ARE available at the Downtown Training Center, however masks must be worn while inside the building. Alternate bathroom facilities are located at the Morristown Town Hall Building at 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960. The parking lot is located in the back of the building off Franklin Street (runs parallel to South Street).
Hotel Accommodations in Morristown
If you are looking to make hotel accommodations the night prior to your town walk, the following hotels are recommended by The Seeing Eye:
Best Western Plus , located at 270 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960 (puppy friendly if you mention The Seeing Eye)
Hyatt, located at 3 Speedwell Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960
Embassy Suites, located at 909 Parsippany Blvd, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054 (puppy friendly)
The Match
What we all are hoping for… a successful match between a person who is blind and a Seeing Eye dog!
What Items Can I Send Back For the Puppy I Raised If They Are Matched?
- Items must fit inside a bubble envelope no larger than 12” x 15”
- Items should be new or gently used
- Acceptable items are: letters, small photo albums, cards, regular sized stuffed toys, bones.
Adoption
If for whatever reason the puppy isn’t selected as a guide dog, he or she becomes available for adoption and will be first offered back to his or her Puppy Raiser family.
How Will I Know If the Puppy I Raised Is Available for Adoption?
If a puppy that you raised has been released from the program, your Area Coordinator will contact you. During the time of contact, they will let you know the reason that the puppy was released from the training program; this could be for medical or behavioral reasons. If you choose to adopt the puppy back, your Area Coordinator will inform the adoptions team and a member will reach out to you to schedule the adoption appointment. Prior to picking the puppy up for adoption, you will need to review the adoption agreement (PDF). Please remember that if you are choosing to adopt a dog, it is expected that the dog remains with you. You will be expected to re-read and agree to the adoption agreement (PDF) at the time of adoption.
It is the responsibility of the puppy raiser to pick up their dog from The Seeing Eye. There may be times when Area Coordinators may assist in getting the dogs back to you, however this is dependent upon your Area Coordinator’s schedule.
What To Expect at The Adoption
If you are picking your dog up from campus, please consult the “address” tab for directions on where to park on campus. You will need to bring a leash and collar for your dog to the appointment. During your appointment, one of the Adoptions Team members will provide you with a medical summary for the dog, the Home Again paperwork to activate the dog’s microchip and the adoptions agreement.
All dogs will be given three days’ worth of fenbendazole (a de-worming medication which is standard policy for any dog that is leaving the kennel setting) and a small bag of food.
If you are currently raising a puppy for The Seeing Eye when you adopt a dog back, there is a mandatory three-week quarantine for both dogs. This means that the Seeing Eye puppy should NOT attend any club meetings or outings for 21 days after the date of adoption.
Tips For Home
- Keep your expectations realistic! Remember that they have been in a kennel setting for a period of time.
- Slowly re-introduce the dog to your family pets. This should be done outside and on leash.
- If you have any puppies in training at home, please introduce appropriately and provide supervised introductions and short play periods. If you are unsure how to do this, please contact your AC and they can provide assistance.
Adoption Is a Loving Option!
When a puppy or dog is unable to become a guide dog, it is offered back to its puppy raiser for adoption. If the family chooses not to adopt, the dog then goes into our adoption program where it is considered for other careers or matched with an ideal home from our extensive waiting list. It’s an amazing program and we’ve put together a video to give you a little glimpse of the process!
