Pilot Dogs Inc. is a non-profit organization chartered by the State of Ohio in 1950. It is their purpose to train the finest of guide dogs and their blind masters in the satisfactory use of such guide dogs. The Pilot Dogs gives its trained animals to the blind at absolutely no charge. The approximate cost to the organization for this service is $5600 per animal.
There are many reasons why you should be a puppy raiser for the Pilot Dogs. If you like dogs and helping people your success will help give independence to a person who is blind. Once your application has been accepted you will recieve your puppy at eight weeks of age. As a puppy raiser you should allow the puppy to socialize with people of all ages. Expose the puppy to traffic such as cars, trucks, buses, ect. You need to teach the puppy to avoid distractions such as birds and squirrels. From that point on you will raise the pup in your home until it is approximately 12 to 14 months of age at which time it will be returned to the Pilot Dogs for further, extensive training.
The rewards and benifits of this program are very meaningful. Knowing those loving eyes that once looked up at you as a puppy are leading someone each day gives you a really good feeling. Just remember, your loving care and responsible handling could be the key ingredients necessary for the puppy becoming a guide dog for the blind.
If you are interested in being a
puppy raiser please contact the Pilot Dogs, Inc. at:
Pilot Dogs Inc.
dba
Lions Pilot Dogs
625 W. Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
*Advisor's Note: Thanks to Heidi and her Pilot Dog puppy Finley for this great write-up. You can also contact your 4-H Extension Office to see if your county has a 4-H project for being a puppy raiser. Here in Clark County the 4-H program also has an agreement with Canine Companions for Independence to raise their puppies, as well as other service dog organizations.
On May 19, 1998 the big day had finally come in which I had to return my 16 month old pilot puppy Finley. After having him for 14 long months it was very hard to give him back. Taking a dog from a home life one day and putting him in a strange place the next day can be very hard on his emotionsas well as his foster family. For the next six weeks I waited patiently, wondering weather or not he was going to make the program or not. On June 30, 1998 while in Columbus, Ohio for the day, my mother and I stopped by Pilot Dogs Inc. to see how his progress was coming along. But to our surprise they told us that Finley had been dropped from the program due to dog agressiveness. Sometimes it is hard for a the dog to adjust to the new situation and he wasn't able to cope with it. However, Finley was not the only one who didn't make it from his litter. The breeder then released the dog to us. We sure surprised our family when we arrived home with Finley. In a way it is sad that he won't be able to lead a blind person, but we are happy that he has returned home to "his family" where he will be showered with love and attention forever.