Guiding Paws of Delaware
The New Castle County Puppy Raising Club for The Seeing Eye!
Guiding Paws of Delaware is one of over 30 clubs committed to raising puppies that will become life-changing Seeing Eye® dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Seeing Eye’s clubs span New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, united by a shared mission:
To enhance the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of blind people through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs.
Our Latest Pupdates
- Hershey Returns to The Seeing Eye
Like his best brother Henry, Hershey recently returned to The Seeing Eye to begin his guide dog training. Hershey was his family’s eighth puppy raised in The Seeing Eye program. He was their 12 year old’s first official puppy raised. The Seeing Eye program offers great volunteer opportunities to young dog lovers.
The family will miss Hershey’s silly personality and happy energy, but they know he is ready for a job. In spite of his clever name, some of their favorite nicknames included Hersh, Hershel, Choco Taco and Chocolate Thunder. Best of luck to Hershey!
- Henry Returns to the Seeing Eye
Henry (Vera × Ledger) returned to The Seeing Eye this past week after a little over a year with his raising family. He was wiggly and ready to take on the next chapter of his life. Henry was his raising family’s second dog. He always greeted everyone with a tail wag and a wiggle. Whenever possible he would watch out the door or the window waiting as a guest or anyone would come or leave the house. He always liked making sure everyone made it safely whether to or fro. He’s given so much love already and still has so much more to give. Best of luck to Henry!
- Ezra’s Town Walk
Ezra (Golden Retriever born 8-25-2024) had his town walk in Morristown, NJ with his trainer Kristen in late January. Ezra demonstrated his new guide skills and his ability to navigate seasonal hazards like snow and ice. He looked proud and focused and did a great job both on quiet streets and in high traffic areas.
Ezra beautifully demonstrated “intelligent disobedience” when his trainer gave him the “forward” command while a car was oncoming. Ezra assessed the dangerous situation and refused to walk forward. When the car had passed, Kristen issued the forward hand-signal command again. This time Ezra knew it was safe and he moved forward guiding Kristen across the intersection. Ezra is currently in line to become a breeder for The Seeing Eye, so his guide training program was slightly shorter. He is still awaiting a few medical tests but our hope is that Ezra will be helping to create the next generation of excellent Seeing Eye puppies! Congratulations to Ezra!
Puppy Raising Journey
Be the First Step in a Life-Changing Journey
We proudly support The Seeing Eye’s mission by opening our homes and hearts to raise puppies. As puppy raisers, we provide a foundation of love, guidance, and socialization that prepares these remarkable dogs for their vital work.
Anyone can join this inspiring journey—whether you’re a family with a nine-year-old eager to help or an experienced individual raising their 30th puppy. Each puppy’s journey is unique, but one thing remains constant: the profound sense of purpose and fulfillment that comes from being part of something so extraordinary.
Are you ready to change a life—starting with your own? Click here to read our FAQ and find out more about volunteering.
Dedication
Raising a puppy for The Seeing Eye requires a high level of dedication as puppy raisers invest their time, energy, and patience into training and socializing the puppy to prepare them for their future role.
Empowering
Through puppy raising, individuals have the opportunity to contribute to the empowerment of people with visual disabilities, enabling them to navigate the world with confidence and a sense of autonomy.
Impactful
Puppy raising for The Seeing Eye has a profound impact on both the puppy raiser and the recipient of the guide dog, fostering meaningful connections and changing lives for the better through the partnership between humans and their canine companions.
guidingpawsde.org 