Celebrating National Dog Day, a future Leader Dog for the Blind visited Aurora Saturday morning, Aug. 23.
Aurora Lions Club members hosted Kili, a black Labrador retriever puppy, at the club’s resource booth at the weekly downtown Aurora farmer’s market. The pup was accompanied by his volunteer puppy raisers John Rosas and daughter Annika Rosas, 11, of Aurora.
Kili greeted the public and other dogs accompanying their owners at the farmer’s market. Aurora Lions provided information on the Leader Dog program.
Kili is among about 500 puppies born each year that are raised to become potential Leader Dogs.
Rosas said future Leader Dogs spend the first year of their lives with volunteer puppy raisers who teach basic obedience, social and house manners, and introduce pups to new experiences.
Dogs return to Leader Dogs Rochester Hills, Mich., campus between 12-15 months of age for a least four months of formal training with qualified guide dog mobility instructors before being matched with a client.
Leader Dogs provides services to people who are blind or visually impaired that increase their travel independence and empower them to lead a more productive and fulfilling life.
Rosas said he signed up to become a puppy raiser after meeting a Leader Dog at a Michigan church service.
Aurora Lions president Randy Brown said his club is among more than 4,900 clubs both nationally and internationally that contribute financially to Leader Dog. “Lions founded Leader Dog in 1939 and have been dedicated ambassadors and loyal supporters of the mission since that time,” Brown said.
He added, “Lions identify people in their community who can benefit from Leader Dog services, offer assistance to clients and widely communicate information about our programs.
Leader Dog was the first guide dog organization to develop a dedicated program to train people who are deaf and blind to work with a guide dog.
All services are provided free to clients, including room and board and travel.
Leader Dog relies on voluntary contributions to fulfill its mission. Leader Dog does not receive federal or state funding and receives no payments from insurance companies.
—Aurora Lions Club