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A Guide To New Possibilities…
Annabell tries out walking with Rocky and trainer Karin Watson.
WORDS: Ruth Lando
For teens aged 14-17 with visual
impairments, there’s a new camp
opportunity available at Southeastern
Guide Dogs that will one day lead
them to greater mobility, dignity, and
independence.
Now that the minimum age for a guide
dog has been lowered from 18 to 15,
eligible young people can bring their
parents to a fun and educational two-day,
one-night, experience on the campus
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session took place back in March, during
which six teens and their parents learned
about the ins-and-outs of getting a guide
dog, while rooming in their own private,
comfortable, hotel-like accommodations,
and enjoying three meals a day.
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kind of “Guide Dogs 101,” introducing
families to the reality of working with a
dog in harness, plus caring for a large
canine and all the responsibilities of
being a handler. Over the two days,
activities included training protocols,
grooming, obedience, dog massage,
and playtime. Parents were also informed
about the cost of having a guide dog, and
what to expect for their children.
“I’ve always been excited to get a guide
dog, and I think this will really help me
push to get one—this has had a positive
effect on my life,” said 14-year-old
Annabell, who hails from South Carolina.
“It felt like I could trust the dog more than
just myself with my white cane. With the
cane, I might hit something; but with the
dog, he stopped, and I realized, ‘I can go
around this.’ I realized I could rely on the
dog and I wouldn’t fall down.”
Annabell, who hopes someday to become
a world-traveling anthropologist, has
since applied to return to Southeastern
Guide Dogs to be matched with a guide
dog of her own.
Many parents shed a tear watching their
teen bond with a dog, and experience
walking about holding the harness for
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as they were led safely around obstacles
and across streets opened a world of
possibilities for these families. Parents
also had the chance to walk with a trainer
and guide dog under blindfold, navigating
in the darkness, and feeling what it’s like
to put your faith and trust in a superhero
guide dog.
To qualify, campers must be either
currently enrolled in Orientation & Mobility
training with a white cane or have already
completed it. Katie Perez, manager of
programs for children & teens, was thrilled
with the inaugural Guide Dog Camp. She
said: “To have the opportunity to witness
the rapid transformation in these teens as
they walked with our trained guide dogs
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never forget.
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strides as they picked up the harness
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guide dogs to show them that a life with
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when they are ready.”
Some of the feedback received from
teens and parents stated:
���� “The facilities are so nice; not what
I was expecting when you say
camp.”
���� “I loved the obstacle course with a
guide dog. I want to do it again.”
���� “I loved the blindfold walk; it gave
me a perspective of what it will be
like for my child.”
���� “I want to come back and work here.”
���� “The pace of the agenda was
perfect, we could stay longer.”
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