Guide canine was ‘life-changing’ for AZ lady
September is National Guide Dog Month, a month the place activists elevate consciousness and present help for information canine faculties throughout the U.S. In Arizona, a lady says her expertise with a information canine has been ‘life-changing.’ FOX 10’s Ellen McNamara reviews.
PHOENIX – September is National Guide Dog Month, a month to boost consciousness and present help for information canine faculties throughout America.
Training a canine is dear, and it takes time, however for individuals who are visually impaired or blind, a educated information canine is free.
When Cynthia Woods is working, Biscuit is simply too. The Yellow Labrador Retriever is all the time by her aspect, and able to go each time and wherever Woods must.
“She is really easy going,” Woods mentioned. “You right her as soon as and the issue is solved. She’s been an incredible information. She takes actually excellent care of me.”
Woods began shedding her imaginative and prescient when she was in her 20s. Now, Woods works for the Foundation for Blind Children, the place she was as soon as a scholar.
At the Foundation, Woods helps adults who’ve misplaced their imaginative and prescient.
“It’s a whole blow to your self-confidence,” Woods mentioned about going blind. “I can’t do these items anymore. But I nonetheless need to do them. Before you study applications like Foundation for Blind Children, you suppose you’re simply caught that means.”
Foundation for Blind Children
Biscuit is her fourth information canine. She was paired with the pup in October 2013.
“The bond between the canine and the individual is de facto essential as a result of the canine has to work with you and in the event that they’re not bonded to you, they’re simply not going to do it,” Woods mentioned.
Through Guide Dogs of the Desert in Palm Springs, Calif., in addition to different information canine faculties, a educated information canine doesn’t cost a visually impaired or blind individual something.
“We’ve all had pets, we care for them,” Woods mentioned. “We love them, however we don’t actually need to belief them besides maybe round kids. When she comes as much as a flight of stairs, I’ve to belief that she’s going to cease so we’re not all going to go down.”
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Biscuit is 12 and a half years previous.
She’s a bit slower, however nonetheless wholesome and continues to get pleasure from working with Woods.
“The freedom I bought from eliminating the cane and getting the canine was simply unbelievable,” Woods mentioned.
