Seeing Eye - Day 1

With a new day comes new dreams, hopes, and experiences. Today I embarked on my first day at The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey. I came by train to New Jersey to train with my still to be matched new Seeing Eye dog. I will be training with some 20 other students over the next two and a half weeks, focusing on building that bond with our dogs and each human/dog pair learning how to work together as a team. On arriving at the school, I met my instructor Ryan Walters. He’s one of five instructors in this class and seems like a good guy focused on helping assure I have a successful match. Today was about getting settled in—familiarizing myself with the layout of the building, unpacking, and going on my first Juno walk. You might ask yourself what a Juno walk is. Over the next day they will be assuring they understand the pace that we like to walk, the pull we want to feel in the harness, and our temperament and lifestyle. They do this through asking lots of questions but also by taking us on simulated walks in which they hold the other end of the harness. The fictitious dog is named Juno thus you get a Juno walk. Being at the Seeing Eye is like being on a rollercoaster ride at a nice resort. While here, they provide us with three cooked meals, clean our rooms, wash our towels, and so much more. This is done so we can focus on our dogs, learning how to work with them. I say rollercoaster ride because it is a whirl wind of emotions. Some days will be great—everything is clicking—while others leave one questioning how smart that dog or human really is. In the end, it will pay off with the freedom that only a Seeing Eye dog can provide. Well, that’s all for the night, until tomorrow…