An furry, four-legged ambassador visited Aurora Saturday, Aug. 19.
She was Mya, a puppy being raised by Harold Owens of Rockford for Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Mya’s mission was to raise awareness for Leader Dogs, a Rochester Hills, Mich.-based nonprofit that provides blind or visually-impaired people with life skills for safe and independent travel. Leader Dog programs include guide-dog training, orientation and mobility training and a summer camp for legally blind 16- and 17-year-olds.
Mya and Owens were presented by Aurora Noon Lions Club of Lions Clubs International, a Leader Dogs partner since 1939.
Owens, 82, is among volunteer puppy raisers who devote 12-14 months to preparing a puppy for formal Leader Dog training. Mya is Owens’ 17th dog. More information on puppy raising options is available at LeaderDog.org.
Beth Slade, philanthropy director for Leader Dogs and a member of Lake Orion, Mich. Lions Club, accompanied Mya and Owens.
According to Leader Dog, free annual benefits of the Lions Club-Leader Dog partnership include 1,095,000 days of independence for visually impaired people, 200 Leader Dogs matched with clients, 100 clients provided with white-cane training, 24 teens who gain leadership and travel skills and six deaf/blind clients who receive customized guide-dog training.
—Al Benson