Dear Seeing Eye family,
As my family and I approach our 30th year as puppy raisers in January of 2027, reflecting on our puppy raising experience has gone beyond what we could have imagined. It has not only turned into having the many proud moments after all your efforts pay off, and your puppy makes its match with someone who is waiting and needs her, but there is more to it than this.
It’s the connection you make with other puppy raisers as you continue on this puppy raising journey who become dear friends. It’s the strangers you meet along the way who are curious about your puppy and you. It’s watching youth excel at puppy raising and seeing them participating in our county fair with their pups. It’s a random greeting and conversation while out with your new puppy, and that person mentions she knows a Seeing Eye instructor, tells you her name, and you find out that instructor trained your previous puppy on campus! It’s hearing graduates talk about their experience with their Seeing Eye dogs. It’s having a friend who is blind telling you about her personal stories with her Seeing Eye dog and how her dog enjoys a fun, full life off harness as well as how strong and amazing their work ethic in harness is.
This 30-year journey is so much more than the love of having a puppy every year. These puppies have given us so much puppy love and connection in return. Everyone should be so lucky to experience the joy of raising a puppy for The Seeing Eye!
-Linda Kabis
Morris NW Seeing Eye Puppy Club Leader & Volunteer Raiser for 30 Years
