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
- Guiding Paws at the Fire Station
Our Guiding Paws puppies had an exciting outing this week as they visited a local fire station in Brandywine Hundred! These visits are an important part of the raising program. The fire station is full of unique sights, sounds, and equipment that help our puppies develop confidence in unfamiliar environments. We choose activities like this because they build resilience, focus, and adaptability.
Engine and siren noises offer valuable exposure that helps prepare the dogs for the wide range of situations they may encounter as future guides. Meeting first responders in uniform, encountering unusual smells, and working through unexpected noises all give our pups the chance to practice settling and staying attentive to their handlers.
We are very thankful to the Brandywine Hundred Fire Station for opening their facility to us for a visit and their warm reception. We look forward to a future visit with another batch of puppies.
- Puppies at Petram
Guiding Paws puppies Tilly, Tinsel, and Matt were excited to be invited to visit local Middletown gym, CrossFit Petram. The gym was hosting Worldwide CrossFit Open. All gym members come together to complete the assigned workout while making it a fun event for the whole community. This outing allowed the puppies to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a working gym.
It is easy to overlook the many unique aspects of a gym environment for the development of our puppies. When matched with their person, having an early exposure helps them to be confident and calm in many everyday places.
Thank you to Crossfit Petram for sharing their space with our puppies!
- Atlas Earns His Vest
Congratulations to Atlas on earning his Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Program vest! At six months of age, our puppies are evaluated for good on-leash behavior and their ability to follow basic commands. The vest signifies the dog’s progression towards guide dog work and conveys his growing maturity and reliability to represent The Seeing Eye in public settings. Way to go Atlas!
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 