MORRISTOWN — The Seeing Eye, the non-profit organization that provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people with blindness and low vision, confirmed that Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, has provided a $25,000 grant to support The Seeing Eye mission. In recognition of Bausch + Lomb’s support, The Seeing Eye named two Seeing Eye® puppies: Zara and Zeke. The puppies were named by Bausch + Lomb employees who will be provided with updates on the puppies’ progress as they are raised in The Seeing Eye program. Zeke is a male black Labrador retriever and Zara is a female yellow Labrador retriever.
“We are extremely grateful for this generous grant from Bausch + Lomb that will support two puppies who will go on to change the lives of people with blindness and low vision,” said Seeing Eye Director of Canine Development Peggy Gibbon. “It’s a wonderful investment in our mission, and we look forward to seeing the impact these puppies have in the future.”
Bausch + Lomb’s grant will support Zara and Zeke as they grow up in The Seeing Eye’s comprehensive puppy-raising program. The puppies were born at The Seeing Eye’s breeding station. When they are around 8 weeks of age, they will be placed with volunteer puppy raisers who will keep them in their homes for about one year. The puppies will then return to The Seeing Eye where they will undergo health testing and begin a four-month training course with a Seeing Eye® instructor. Upon successfully passing this phase, they will be matched with applicants who have blindness or low vision.
“We hope our involvement helps raise awareness of The Seeing Eye’s mission and inspires more people to get involved with the organization, whether as supporters or volunteer puppy raisers,” said John Ferris, executive vice president, of Consumer, Bausch + Lomb.
Volunteer puppy raisers play an essential role at The Seeing Eye. These families must be located within New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, or Delaware and are responsible for teaching basic obedience, and house manners, bringing the puppy to Seeing Eye puppy club meetings and on socialization trips. The Seeing Eye covers the cost of veterinary care and provides a stipend towards the cost of food. If a puppy does not graduate from the Seeing Eye program, the family who raised the puppy is offered the option to adopt the puppy.
The Seeing Eye is currently recruiting new volunteer puppy raisers. To sign up as a puppy raiser and learn more about The Seeing Eye, visit www.seeingeye.org/raise or call (973) 539-4425.
Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people with blindness and low vision. Seeing Eye dog handlers experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles. The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts. The Seeing Eye does not receive government or insurance funding.,
The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit their website by clicking here or call (973) 539-4425.
